Sanding pads / abrasive pads
Sanding pads / abrasive pads
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE SANDING PADS ABRASIVE PADS / SANDING MATS
Soft Pad
Soft pads or hand pads are flexible abrasives that usually have a soft foam base and are therefore easily mouldable. This structure prevents scratch marks, making the abrasives ideal for finishing surfaces and easy to guide along contours. Ideal for intermediate sanding, polishing and paint correction. They can be used for both dry and wet sanding. Thanks to their elasticity, soft pads are the best choice for sensitive surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.
Abrasive sponges
Thanks to the double bevel coating with silicon carbide on a soft, pressure-distributing foam, the KA.EF. Abrasive sponges offer excellent adaptability. It is ideal for sanding curves, edges, recesses, radii and surfaces - for both dry and wet sanding. Abrasive sponges tend to be available in the coarser grit range up to P 320.
Abrasive fleece
Abrasive fleece is probably the most flexible abrasive. Abrasive fleece pads consist of an open nylon structure interspersed with abrasive grains such as silicon carbide or aluminium oxide. They are used to roughen surfaces for better adhesion of paint and colour. It is also used for derusting metal surfaces.
Velcro sanding pad
Also known as a sanding pad but for machine use and therefore not in this Category. Round sanding pads with Velcro are specially designed for use with machines such as Random orbital sanders or sanders. They have a Velcro backing that makes them easy and secure to attach. These pads offer efficient and even sanding performance and can be replaced quickly, making them particularly indispensable for large-scale work and frequent changes of grit.
How is the Grit specified for sanding pads?
To ensure standardised quality, all manufacturers of abrasives in Europe use certified abrasive grain in accordance with FEPA standards. This is indicated on the products with a "P" in front of the grit size.
(FEPA = Federation of European Producers of Abrasives, based in Paris)
However, the use of foam as a backing material results in differences in the grit distribution and sanding pattern of the abrasive pad. This is why we specify KA.EF. for the Manufacturer, for example:
- Sanding pattern = corresponds approximately to the result of Abrasive paper sandpaper (e.g. grain 100 corresponds to approx. P 220).
Mircro-Mesh produces its sanding pads in the USA and is therefore not bound by the FEPA standard. Micro Mesh Soft Pad with Grit 1500 corresponds approximately to the sanding pattern of a P 400 Wet sanding paper.
Please test for yourself which result best suits your use, as a small amount of grit loss on the sanding pad is completely normal. Workpieces should be cleaned thoroughly after processing.
A significant difference between Micro-Mesh Soft Pads and classic Abrasive paper sandpaper lies in the bonding of the abrasive grains:
- Abrasive paper sandpaper (Grit 400): Here, the abrasive grains are embedded in a solid resin layer, which leads to aggressive Material removal. As the grains are not flexible, scratch marks are created in the direction of sanding.
- Micro-Mesh (Grit 1500): The abrasive crystals are attached to a flexible mesh base. This allows them to move in all directions and adapt to the sanding movement, which prevents scratch marks and produces a uniform sanding pattern.
