Sanding is an important part of many woodworking, metalworking, automotive repair, and other projects. It helps smooth and shape surfaces by removing material. There are two main types of sanding – dry sanding and wet sanding. As the names imply, dry sanding uses regular sandpaper and no water, while wet sanding uses water in addition to sandpaper.
Wet sanding has some advantages over dry sanding. The water helps keep both the surface and sandpaper cooler, avoiding damage from overheating. It also lubricates the sandpaper, allowing the abrasives to cut better while reducing clogging. In addition, wet sanding creates less airborne dust. This can help reduce mess and be better for your lungs.
However, dry sanding is often faster and easier. So a common question is whether you can wet sand using regular dry sandpaper, instead of special wet/dry paper. Let’s take a detailed look at whether this swap works or causes problems.
Can You Use Regular Sandpaper for Wet Sanding?
In short – sometimes, but results can be mixed. Let’s examine why:
Intended Purpose
Regular sandpaper is designed to be used dry. It uses glues to bond abrasive particles like aluminum oxide or silicon carbide to paper or cloth backings. These glues are water soluble. When soaked, they can break down and allow grit to dislodge. This reduces sandpaper effectiveness and lifespan.
Wet/dry sandpaper is designed for water resistance. It uses waterproof resins like epoxy, acrylic, polyester, or hot melt glue. These maintain strength when wet, keeping abrasives locked in place.
So using dry paper for wet sanding isn’t the intended use. Manufacturers don’t recommend it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t work at all.
Potential Problems
Trying to wet sand with regular sandpaper has two main potential downsides:
1. Reduced Lifespan
As mentioned above, dry paper can come apart faster when wet. Abrasives may rapidly loosen and detach from the backing while sanding. This prematurely ends the useful life of the sandpaper.
How fast this happens depends on factors like:
– Sandpaper quality – Cheaper paper likely has less water-resistant glue
– Abrasive material – Garnet sandpaper deteriorates faster than aluminum oxide when wet
– Grit size – Coarser 30-60 grit tends to be more resistant than fine 120-220 grit
– Water exposure – Total soak time and water flow rate impact breakdown
So life expectancy can vary from near instant destruction to retaining usefulness for a decent time.
2. Clogging
Wet sanding helps flush away sanded debris to resist clogging. But dry papers are not designed to release grit and particles when wet. So using them for wet sanding can still result in excessive clogging issues.
Again, intensity depends on the specific paper. Higher quality, coarser paper is less prone to clog. But overall dry options are more likely to clog than proper wet/dry products.
Possible Benefits
While regular dry sandpaper has drawbacks for wet use, it can still work in certain situations:
– Light-duty sanding of soft materials like wood or plastic may avoid rapid breakdown.
– Keeping surfaces just damp, rather than fully soaked, reduces water contact.
– Allowing surfaces to fully dry between sanding passes minimizes water exposure.
– Coarse grits like 40-60 are most resilient and least prone to clog.
– Higher quality papers hold up better than cheap discount varieties.
With controlled, limited water use, and picking the right dry paper, you may get decent results wet sanding for shorter tasks. While not optimal, it can work in a pinch.
Best Practices
Here are some tips to wet sand successfully with regular dry sandpaper:
– Select quality coarse grit dry paper – Try 40, 60 or 80 grit aluminium oxide or silicon carbide sandpaper. Avoid cheap paper or fine 120+ grit.
– Limit water usage – Keep surfaces damp, not dripping. Allow dry time between passes. Moderate water contact prolongs paper life.
– Work through grits – Start coarse and graduate finer as smoothing progresses. Changing worn paper helps limit clogging issues.
– Rub gently – Heavy pressure speeds abrasive breakdown. Use a light touch for best results.
– Consider upgrades – If doing large jobs, invest in proper wet/dry paper. Performance and longevity exceed standard dry sandpaper.
– Never soak – Fully immersing dry paper in water permanently damages most products. Avoid soaking sandpaper.
When to Use Wet/Dry Paper
While regular dry sandpaper can work for wet sanding in some limited cases, you’ll get best results with proper wet/dry products. Consider upgrading for:
– Big tasks – Large jobs require long lasting abrasives. Wet/dry paper withstands prolonged water exposure.
– Fine finishing – Smooth final surfaces demand clean-cutting action. Wet/dry resists clogging even with fine 220+ grit sizes.
– Automotive uses – Car paint and clear coats need optimal performance. Wet/dry prevents abrasive breakdown with heavy water contact.
– Tight costs – Having to frequently replace worn standard paper gets expensive. Wet/dry lasts significantly longer to save money.
– Health concerns – Dry paper creates more airborne dust. Wet/dry reduces particles for better breathing conditions.
While you can wet sand with regular sandpaper in a pinch, wet/dry products give superior longevity, performance and health benefits. Use them for important, large-scale, fine finishing and automotive work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to use regular sandpaper for wet sanding wood?
It’s generally not recommended, but may work for quick, light sanding if you limit water exposure. For best results on important wood projects, opt for proper wet/dry paper instead.
Can I just dip regular sandpaper in water?
No, fully soaking standard sandpaper in water can destroy the glue and abrasives almost instantly in most cases. Lightly dampening can work, but never fully immerse regular dry sandpaper.
Should I use a lubricant instead of water with regular sandpaper?
Yes, using lubricating oils, soaps or wax instead of water can improve performance of regular sandpaper for wet sanding purposes. It provides some benefits of wet sanding without damaging the paper.
How long does regular sandpaper last for wet sanding?
It varies based on grit, material and water exposure. But generally standard sandpaper only lasts a small fraction of the lifespan of proper wet/dry products. Expect to replace it more frequently.
Is wet sanding always better than dry sanding?
Not necessarily. Wet sanding has some advantages, but dry may be preferred for speed and convenience on small jobs. Consider the trade-offs and pick method based on your specific needs.
Conclusion
While regular dry sandpaper can sometimes work, wet/dry paper designed for water resistance provides superior performance and longevity for important wet sanding applications. Limit water exposure and be prepared to change paper frequently if forced to wet sand with standard products. Consider upgrading to proper wet/dry for large tasks and fine finishing needs.