What Grit For Sanding Cabinets

Sand corners and grooves with sandpaper or a sanding sponge.

What grit for sanding cabinets.

Sand the cabinet doors using an electric sander and 100 grit sandpaper for the initial sanding. Many woodworkers find they only need to go down to 100 to 120 grit paper with their random orbital sander for surfaces that will be painted or receive a clear finish. The grit of sandpapers is a rating of the size of abrasive materials on the sandpaper. Choosing the right grit for your needs will depend on the task at hand.

First with 100 grit second with 180 grit and third with 220 grit. If the cabinets are stained or coated with a single layer of clear finish you may not need to use paint stripper. Continue on to 220 grit if you re using a stain or dye. The grit of the sandpaper may range from coarse and rough to nearly smooth.

And that is what will certainly decide the success or the failure of your sanding task. The same professionals who recommend using the random orbital sander for cabinets and furniture also advise users to make at least three passes with three different grits of sandpaper. Generally if you re using an oil or clear finish you can stop sanding at 180 grit. Lower grit numbers represent coarser abrasives that scrape off materials much quicker.

If you are sanding cabinet doors or drawer fronts then starting at an 80 grit and working to a 120 or 150 grit is a great way to reduce time spent with an orbital sander. The higher the grit number is equivalent to a finer abrasive which creates smoother surface finishes. Belt sanders come in 3 21 and 4 24 models so you can plan accordingly when looking at the best sandpaper. Equipped with 100 grit sandpaper orbital sanders remove surface material from cabinets and doors without going too deep.

Finish by sanding with 150 or 180 grit sandpaper or a medium fine sanding sponge by hand sanding along the grain of the wood. Sand the finish from the cabinets trim and drawers with 120 grit sandpaper. These colorants tend to amplify swirl or scratch marks sanding to 320 grit creates a glasslike surface but also one that accepts little stain if that s your goal. Heavy grit papers 60 to 80 grit remove material too fast and create scratches that weren t there before.

This not only cleans the cabinet paint doesn t go on well over grease but the scrubby sponge also roughs up the surface just enough to make the primer stick. Sand the cabinet doors and drawers. Light grit sandpaper such as 120 or 180 grit on an orbital won t remove material fast enough.