Sandpaper, sanding sheets and abrasive cloth, we have tested over 50 different types for you and thus for violin making and bow making. For us, the sandpaper sheets KP16C from AWUKO (for dry sanding), Wetordry 734 from 3M (for wet sanding and dry sanding) and Micro-Mesh (for sanding and polishing varnish) performed best in practical use and were even ahead of sandpaper from Mirka or VSM in our quality test and practical test.
Awuko is an abrasive paper manufacturer with 120 years of tradition from Germany. The performance of AWUKO abrasives is due to the special grain adhesion. This is due to water-soluble binder systems consisting of phenol-urea resins and hide glue which prevent premature clogging of the abrasive with sanding dust and slow down the wear of the abrasive grains. These binders result in a unique flexibility.
3M is one of the leading technology companies. The 3M Wetordry 734 abrasive sheets are a waterproof abrasive paper developed for wood, lacquer and plastic applications with very high cutting performance silicon carbide. The Wetordry sandpaper has a waterproof A/C paper backing with better handling, less wear and a high cutting performance, especially on hard materials such as ebony or maple.
The Micro-Mesh abrasive cloth is characterised by an extremely long service life and unique abrasive performance. As a special feature, there is a latex layer between the abrasive corundum and the cloth backing. This enables a high degree of mobility and thus optimal adaptation to the surface. When used dry, Micro-Mesh lasts 5 - 7 times longer than conventional sandpaper, when used wet it lasts even 7 - 15 times longer.
Abrasives, popularly known as sandpaper or emery paper, has the technically correct designation "abrasives on a flexible backing". The choice of abrasive grit, the properties of the backing material as well as the choice of binder that binds the abrasive grit to the backing are decisive for the properties of the product. Individual products are called "qualities" in the technical language of the abrasives industry. Special additives, such as Top Coat Stearate, change the longevity of the product and significantly improve the sanding properties.
In order to be able to use an abrasive sensibly in practice, an understanding of the different abrasive grit properties is very important.
