Used dry or with water, 3M? Wetordry? Paper Sheets enable the
user to rinse areas of the workpiece and the sheet during use to
prevent dust and debris from clogging the points of the abrasive
and reduce air-borne dust, while producing a faster cut at the same
time. These versatile sheets are ideal on surfaces that tend to
generate a lot of dust, such as paint and primer, and can also be
used dry for finishing metal and gel coats. In the marine industry
they are used for sanding old finishes, fine feather edging, and
surface work. The standard 9" x 11" sheets can be cut to size for
the application.
Silicon carbide is a very hard mineral characterized by sharp
points that fracture easily, resulting in freshly exposed sharp
edges that cut extra fast and produce a smooth,
professional-looking finish. Silicon carbide products are commonly
used for low-pressure applications such as paint prep and finishing
on wood and metal. While the mineral has a shorter life than
aluminum oxide, it produces a superior finish.
3M? Wetordry? products are backed with a proprietary waterproof
paper backing that supports both wet and dry applications. Lighter
weight than cloth and smooth rather than textured, paper backing is
preferable for lighter applications such as finishing and paint
prep. At the same time, many such applications produce a
significant amount of dust, clogging the abrasive points and
creating an inferior work environment. These effects can be
minimized by sanding with water to rinse dust away from the
workpiece and the abrasive surface.