Sandpaper & Steel Wool

Sandpaper & Steel Wool are the go-to abrasives for surface preparation, smoothing, and finishing across wood, metal, drywall, and plastic. Choose sandpaper in grits from coarse 40–80 for rapid stock removal, through 100–180 for shaping, up to 220–400+ for finishing and between-coat sanding. Aluminum oxide sheets offer long life for wood and metal, garnet is valued for fine hand sanding on wood, and silicon carbide wet/dry paper excels on finishes, plastics, and glass, especially with water to control dust and clogging.

For power sanders, look for hook-and-loop or PSA-backed discs that pair with dust extraction to keep the surface clean and extend abrasive life. Use sanding blocks or foam pads to keep edges crisp and maintain flatness; flexible pads conform to profiles and molding. Always sand with the grain on wood to reduce scratches.

Steel wool is graded from 4 (coarse) to 0000 (ultra-fine). Use grades 2–4 to strip rust and old finishes from metal, 0–1 for smoothing bare wood, and 000–0000 to knock down nibs between coats, apply waxes, or polish lacquer and varnish. Grade 0000 also cleans glass and hardware without harsh scratches. For water-based finishes or reactive woods like oak, consider synthetic fiber pads to avoid discoloration from steel particles.

Practical tips: step through grits rather than skipping, wipe surfaces with a tack cloth between passes, and let the abrasive do the work—excess pressure causes swirls. Wear eye protection and a dust mask; connect sanders to a vacuum for cleaner results.

Whether you’re prepping a wall for paint, refinishing a table, tuning a cutting edge, or polishing metal fixtures, the right abrasive saves time and delivers a smoother, more durable finish. Shop sheets, discs, belts, blocks, and steel wool grades to match your project and get professional results. Find bulk packs and kits for better value online.