Balancing Power and Precision with 80, 360, and 1500 Grit Sandpaper

For projects that need both aggressive sanding and refined finishing, the grit sequence of 80, 360, and 1500 is a powerful choice. This progression helps you handle rough stock removal, mid-level smoothing, and ultra-fine polishing in a single workflow.

Why This Sequence Works

80 grit is strong enough to strip old finishes and flatten rough surfaces. 360 grit bridges the gap, refining scratches and prepping for coatings. Finally, 1500 grit delivers an ultra-smooth finish ready for clear coats, oils, or polishing compounds.

Tools You’ll Need

• Orbital sander for 80 grit heavy removal
• Sanding block or pad for 360 grit refinement
• Foam sanding pad with water spray bottle for 1500 grit wet sanding
• Vacuum and tack cloth

Step-by-Step Process

1. Heavy removal. Start with 80 grit (25-pack) to strip paint, flatten surfaces, or remove deep scratches.
2. Refinement stage. Move to 360 grit (50-pack) to erase coarse marks and create an even surface.
3. Final polish. Wet sand with 1500 grit (100-pack) for a silky, high-end finish.
4. Clean between steps. Vacuum and tack cloth surfaces to remove dust before moving finer.

Special Cases

For woodworking, this sequence works best when shaping rough lumber and preparing it for fine oils. In auto refinishing, 80 grit can be used on fillers, while 1500 grit preps clear coats for buffing. For resin, 360 grit levels imperfections before 1500 grit polishes them out.

Pro Tips

• Never press too hard with 80 grit—let the abrasive do the work.
• Always wet sand at 1500 grit for smooth results and to avoid clogging.
• 360 grit is a sweet spot for preparing surfaces before primer or paint.

Aftercare

• Apply protective finish immediately after sanding to preserve smoothness.
• Polish 1500 grit results with compounds for mirror-like clarity.
• Store sandpaper flat and dry to prevent curling.

FAQs

• Is 80 grit safe for furniture? Use only for heavy stripping—always follow with finer grits.
• What’s 360 grit good for? It bridges the coarse-to-fine transition and leaves a finish-ready surface.
• Do I need to buff after 1500 grit? Yes—for maximum gloss, buffing compounds enhance the polish.

Watch & Learn

Using 80, 360, and 1500 grit sandpaper in sequence allows you to handle everything from rough prep to refined polishing—delivering professional results every time.