I used to think the cheap sandpaper was fine for feathering edges

For years I'd grab the 80-grit bulk pack from the big box store, thinking it all cuts the same. Then last month I was working on a 2018 F-150 quarter panel and the primer kept showing lines no matter how much I blocked. My buddy tossed me a sheet of his 3M Cubitron and said 'just try it'. The difference was insane, it cut faster and left a way smoother scratch pattern. Now I keep a roll of the good stuff for any feathering work. Anyone have a favorite brand for final sanding before sealer?

3 comments

3 Comments

park.emery1mo ago

Man, that's wild. So when you switched to the Cubitron on that F-150, did the lines just vanish right away? I'm curious what grit you used for that feathering step, because I've messed up by jumping to too fine a paper too soon and not cutting enough.

paul_burns1mo ago

That Cubitron is no joke, it's like night and day. I still keep some cheaper paper around for rough shaping on filler, but for feathering into good paint it's worth the extra few bucks.

the_ben29d ago

Yeah, @park.emery, that's the exact trap. You need to stay with 180 or even 220 until the edge is completely gone to the touch. Jumping to 320 too early just polishes a ridge you can still see.