Whether customers are tackling maintenance, painting or restoration projects at home, coated abrasive products are almost always needed to finish the job. Sandpaper, available in various grits and configurations, is used for sanding wood, metal or plastic, while emery cloth is suitable for polishing and finishing surfaces.
Paper-backed or emery-backed abrasives
The difference between paper-backed and emery-backed abrasives lies in their backing material. Paper-backed abrasives, such as water and cabinet paper sheets, utilise paper as their base. Emery-backed abrasives, such as cloth-backed sanding belts, use a cloth base. Cloth-backed abrasives are more durable and tear-resistant, allow for more flexibility, and can be cut to size, making them ideal for a wider range of sanding and finishing tasks, especially on metal. With greater mechanical resistance, they’re better suited for power tools.
Paper-backed abrasives are more flexible and conform better to curved surfaces. They are generally less expensive and suited for general hand sanding on wood and plastics.
Surface finishing
When it comes to surface finishing, thorough preparation is key. This can be done by hand or with the use of an orbital sander. Wood, paint or lacquer is usually sanded by hand; however, for perfect intermediate sanding with paper-backed abrasives, an orbital sander can be used. Grinding Techniques offers a wide range of water and cabinet paper sheets that allow for easy and flexible operation on virtually any material.
Superflex waterpaper sheets are made of pure silicon carbide grain and are ideal for preparing surfaces on metal, wood, paint and lacquers. A special feature is the latex-covered backing, which makes them suitable for both wet and dry sanding.
Superflex cabinet paper sheets have a semi-open grain distribution on a lighter paper backing. This prevents clogging while still delivering an excellent surface finish.
Sanding and finishing with power tools
For sanding and finishing with power tools, the angle grinder is one of the most common tools found in home workshops. Grinding Techniques offers a comprehensive assortment of flap discs for angle grinders in Type 27 and Type 29 configurations.
- Type 27 flap discs have a depressed centre design with a fibreglass core backing. This design is suited to maximum material removal with a 15 to 20-degree grinding angle, allowing for greater pressure and a higher removal rate.
- Type 29 flap discs have a more linear profile with a fibreglass backing. This shape allows for a grinding angle of 0 to 15 degrees and is better suited for finer surface finishes rather than aggressive stock removal. The fibreglass backing can also be trimmed to expose more abrasive material, increasing the disc’s life.
Velcro-backed sanding belts
Grinding Techniques also stocks a wide range of Velcro-backed sanding discs for orbital sanders, offering easy attachment and removal, reuse and cost-effectiveness. Using a hook-and-loop system, they can be changed quickly and securely, making it easy to switch grit sizes or replace worn discs.
Cloth-backed sanding belts
Cloth-backed sanding belts are very popular and effective for preparing and sanding larger flat surfaces, like tabletops. Superflex offers custom-made sanding belts for metal or wood processing in various sizes for mini belt grinders (power files), portable belt grinders and large stationary belt grinders. Depending on the application, the ideal belt is supplied for longevity, maximum stock removal or a perfect surface finish.
Belts with embedded abrasive grain
With a high stock removal rate, belts with embedded abrasive grain offer a quick and easy way of grinding metal. Superflex sanding belts offer a range of flexible underlays and additional coatings, allowing work on harder materials, such as stainless steel, alloys, structural steel and non-ferrous metals. They can also be used with woods, paints and lacquers.
Superflex provides not only a comprehensive selection of conventional coated abrasives but also a full range of non-woven or surface conditioning abrasives and a wide variety of cutting and grinding media.
For more information or to secure a custom solution:
Call: +27 11 271-6400
Email: info@grindtech.com
Visit: www.grindtech.com
