Sanding Resin Projects: Get a Clear, Polished Finish

Epoxy and resin crafts are popular for jewelry, tables, and art pieces—but sanding is the key to unlocking that crystal-clear, glassy look. Without proper sanding, resin projects stay cloudy, scratched, or uneven. The secret lies in progressing through the right sandpaper grits and finishing with a polish.

Why Sanding Resin Matters

Resin hardens to a glossy finish, but imperfections, bubbles, or uneven curing leave surface flaws. Sanding levels the resin, removes cloudiness, and preps the piece for buffing or polishing compounds. Skipping sanding means scratches and haze will remain visible under light.

Tools You’ll Need

• Wet/dry sandpaper sheets
• Sanding block or soft pad
• Spray bottle with water
• Microfiber cloths
• Polishing compound and buffing pad

Best Sandpaper Grits for Resin

• 400 grit: Flattening uneven spots or surface ridges.
• 800 grit: Smoothing out visible scratches.
• 1200 grit: Refining to a semi-gloss finish.
• 2000–3000 grit: Preparing resin for high-polish clarity.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Resin Projects

1. Start with 400 grit. Use water to lubricate and lightly sand the surface until it feels level. A solid option is 400 grit (25-pack) for consistent results.
2. Move to 800 grit. Remove scratches left from the coarse grit. Keep the paper wet for best clarity. Try 800 grit (50-pack) for durability on resin.
3. Refine with 1200 grit. Continue wet sanding in circular motions until the resin looks evenly smooth. Use 1200 grit (100-pack) for fine detail work.
4. Polish with 2000–3000 grit. At this stage, the resin will look satin-smooth. Ultra-fine sheets prep it for polishing compounds that create a mirror finish.
5. Buff with compound. Apply resin-safe polishing compound and use a buffing pad or cloth until the piece shines.
6. Final clean. Wipe away residue with a microfiber cloth to reveal a crystal-clear surface.

Special Cases

For resin jewelry, use smaller sanding blocks for precision. For large resin tables, an orbital sander speeds up the process. Always wet sand to prevent resin dust, which is harmful if inhaled.

Pro Tips

• Change water often to avoid reapplying grit particles.
• Sand in one direction per grit, then switch directions with the next grit to see progress.
• Be patient—rushing through grits leaves visible scratches.
• Resin heats quickly; use light pressure to avoid softening the surface.

Aftercare

• Store polished resin pieces away from direct sunlight to prevent yellowing.
• Apply UV-protective resin topcoat if the piece will be outdoors.
• Re-buff with polishing compound as needed to restore shine.

FAQs

• Can I dry sand resin? It’s not recommended—resin dust is hazardous and clogs paper quickly.
• How do I remove deep scratches? Start at 220 or 320 grit before moving into the resin sequence.
• Do I always need to polish? Yes, sanding alone leaves resin cloudy; polishing is required for clarity.

Watch & Learn

Resin projects come to life with the right sanding sequence. Explore our full fine grit and super fine grit sandpaper collections to perfect your next resin creation.