Resin Art Finishing: 800?1500?2000?3000 Wet Sanding

Resin art projects—whether coasters, jewelry, or tabletops—often cure with imperfections: ripples, bubbles, or surface haze. To unlock glass-like clarity, finish with a sanding ladder: 800 ? 1500 ? 2000 ? 3000 grit, followed by polishing. Each grit step reduces scratches, leveling the surface for crystal transparency.

Why Wet Sand Resin Art

Resin scratches easily and generates heat. Wet sanding cools the surface, prevents melting, and clears dust. Stepping grits ensures scratches are gradually erased. Skipping steps leaves haze that polish alone can’t fix.

Tools & Materials

• 9×11 in wet/dry sandpaper sheets: 800, 1500, 2000, 3000 grit
• Foam sanding block or orbital sander with soft pad
• Spray bottle with water + drop of soap
• Microfiber cloths
• Resin-safe polishing compound
• Buffing wheel, felt pads, or hand applicators
• PPE: gloves, respirator, eye protection

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 800 grit — Removes ripples, bubbles, or raised dust.
• 1500 grit — Refines scratches, smooths to satin.
• 2000 grit — Reduces haze, begins clarity.
• 3000 grit — Pre-polish finish, ready for buffing.

Step-by-Step: Resin Art Sanding

1. Clean surface. Wash resin thoroughly—dust or grit can gouge during sanding.
2. Sand at 800 grit. With 800 grit (25-pack), wet-sand until surface is flat and imperfections are gone.
3. Step to 1500 grit. Switch to 1500 grit (50-pack). Sand lightly until surface looks evenly satin.
4. Refine at 2000 grit. Use 2000 grit (100-pack) to smooth out haze and bring partial clarity.
5. Final pass at 3000 grit. Move to 3000 grit (25-pack). Sand until surface feels slick and looks nearly glossy.
6. Polish. Apply resin-safe polishing compound with felt pad until crystal clarity returns.
7. Seal. Optional—apply UV-protectant coating to reduce yellowing over time.

Special Cases

Thick pours: Sand slower—resin heats easily.
Colored resin: Use light pressure; oversanding can lighten pigments.
Embedded art: Don’t sand too deep or you’ll expose inclusions.

Pro Tips

• Always sand wet—dry sanding overheats and gums resin.
• Sand in alternating directions each grit for scratch visibility.
• Work gently—resin is softer than stone or glass.
• Replace paper often—resin clogs grit fast.
• Buff slowly—high speed melts or distorts resin.

Aftercare

• Keep resin out of direct sunlight to reduce yellowing.
• Clean with soft cloths—avoid abrasives.
• Refresh clarity with 3000 grit + polish touch-up when needed.

FAQs

• Why start at 800? Coarser grits risk scratching too deep—800 is safe but effective.
• Can I stop at 2000? No—resin shows haze without 3000 + polish.
• Do I need power tools? No—hand sanding works for small art; orbitals help on tables.
• What polish works best? Resin-specific compounds prevent clouding and yellowing.

Video: Resin Art Polishing

Closing: Resin art deserves a crystal-clear finish. With 800 ? 1500 ? 2000 ? 3000 grit wet sanding and polish, your projects will gleam like glass and show every detail inside.