Perfecting Surfaces with 100, 400, and 1500 Grit Sandpaper

For projects that demand both shaping and fine finishing, using a sequence of 100, 400, and 1500 grit sandpaper is highly effective. This range covers initial smoothing, mid-level refinement, and ultra-fine polishing—making it versatile for wood, metal, or automotive work.

Why This Combination Works

100 grit removes imperfections and levels surfaces. 400 grit bridges the gap by refining scratches and prepping for coatings. Finally, 1500 grit delivers a silky smooth finish, ideal for polishing clear coats or fine woodwork.

Tools You’ll Need

• Random orbital sander for large surfaces
• Sanding block for edges and rails
• Sanding sponge for curves and details
• Water spray bottle for wet sanding with 1500 grit
• Vacuum and tack cloth

Step-by-Step Process

1. Initial sanding. Use 100 grit (25-pack) to remove tool marks, scratches, or old finishes.
2. Refinement. Switch to 400 grit (50-pack) to smooth surfaces and prepare for coating or stain.
3. Final polishing. Finish with 1500 grit (100-pack) using wet sanding for a silky, finish-ready surface.
4. Clean carefully. Vacuum and tack cloth between each stage to remove sanding residue.

Special Cases

For auto body clear coats, the 400 to 1500 grit jump creates a refined surface ready for buffing. For woodworking, this sequence leaves wood ultra-smooth before applying oil or polyurethane.

Pro Tips

• Keep surfaces wet during 1500 grit sanding to avoid clogging.
• Always sand with the grain when working on wood projects.
• Do not skip the mid-level grit—100 to 1500 is too large a jump without 400.

Aftercare

• Dust surfaces thoroughly before applying finishes.
• Use 1500 grit for quick touch-ups on finished pieces.
• Store fine grit sheets flat and dry to prevent curling.

FAQs

• Is 1500 grit too fine for wood? Not at all—perfect for oil finishes or fine furniture polishing.
• Can I paint directly after 400 grit? Yes—400 leaves a smooth, paint-ready surface.
• Do I need to wet sand at 1500? Recommended—it prevents clogging and enhances smoothness.

Watch & Learn

By using 100, 400, and 1500 grit sandpaper in sequence, you’ll achieve smooth, polished results on wood, metal, or automotive projects—ready for stain, paint, or buffing.