ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
For resin, use wet/dry sandpaper and start with the finest grit that will remove the defect or create the surface your next step requires. Move through progressively finer grits, removing the previous scratch pattern before advancing. A clear, glossy casting may need polishing after sanding; resin being painted or varnished needs the surface texture specified by its coating system, not necessarily the finest possible sanding.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choose sandpaper for the job, not by a universal grit sequence
There is no single best starting grit for every resin surface. A deep edge or uneven area needs more material removed than a small blemish on an otherwise smooth casting. Coarser paper cuts faster but leaves deeper scratches that take additional work to remove. Use the resin manufacturer’s instructions for the product you have, and begin with the least aggressive grit that can do the job.
Recommended Free Tools
Before choosing a sequence, decide what the finish must do:
#1 Best Overall
- Value Resin Polishing Kit: LET'S RESIN 33pcs Resin sanding and the polishing kit includes 5pcs resin files(Flat, Semicircle, Triangle, Square, Round), 14pcs sanding papers, 3pcs polishing strips, 2pcs polishing blocks, 2pcs wooden brushes, 1pc polishing cloth, 1pc scissors, 5 pairs of gloves. Just one set for all your sanding needs.
- Safer to Use: The resin supplies include 5 different shape files (flat, semicircle, triangle, square, round). They can help you shape the epoxy resin in all directions for easy use. After shaping, you can use a brush to brush off excess resin chips. In addition, we also match gloves to protect your hands and allow you to operate more safely and cleanly.
- High-Quality Sandpaper: The epoxy resin polishing kit has 7 kinds of sandpaper (320#, 600#, 1000#, 1500#, 3000#, 5000#, 7000#), two of each kind, 14 sheets in total, made of coarse-grained silicon carbide production. It has the characteristics of anti-blocking, anti-static, flexible, wear-resistant, and can be polished and smooth resin crafts. The sandpaper can be cut into small pieces according to your needs.
- Complete Set of Polishing Tools: Resin tool kits come with sanding sticks and blocks to help get a smoother finish to your work. One side is filed, and the other is polished. There is also a polishing cloth, dipped in polishing paste and then wiped, so a smoother and more perfect jewelry resin can be obtained.
- Wide Application: Resin polishing kits are suitable for epoxy resin craft polishing, jewelry-making projects, pendants, necklaces, gemstones, bracelets, key rings, and many other ornaments and craft projects. Whether you are a beginner or a craft enthusiast, you will love this kit!
- Level a defect: Start with a grit that can remove the high spot or scratch without unnecessarily cutting into the surrounding surface.
- Polish clear resin: Progress through finer abrasives until the sanding marks are sufficiently fine for polishing; sanding alone may leave the surface hazy.
- Prepare for paint or varnish: Follow the coating manufacturer’s surface-preparation instructions. The goal is a fair surface with suitable adhesion, not maximum smoothness at any cost.
Buy wet/dry sandpaper for resin with a grit range that suits your task, and check that the paper is rated for the way you plan to use it. Foam-backed sanding pads can help with larger surfaces; they are one format used in Smooth-On’s product-specific tabletop process.
How to progress through grits
- Wait for full cure. Check the technical data for your resin system and do not sand before it is fully cured. Cure time varies by product, so there is no reliable universal wait time.
- Start at the least aggressive useful grit. Use a more aggressive grit only if a finer one is not removing the defect effectively. Take extra care around thin edges and surface layers.
- Sand evenly and inspect often. Use light, controlled pressure. Keep the paper clean and avoid prolonged sanding in one spot, which can generate heat or remove too much material.
- Clean between grits. Remove residue from both the workpiece and abrasive. Epoxy residue caught in the paper can scratch the surface on a later pass.
- Advance only when the previous scratches are gone. Inspect the surface under good light after each stage. If the earlier scratch pattern remains, continue with the current grit rather than skipping ahead.
- Stop at the finish required. For a clear gloss, continue to the fine-sanding and polishing stages your resin process calls for. For paint or varnish, stop at the grit appropriate for that coating.
Examples from manufacturers show why sequences should be treated as product-specific rather than universal. Formlabs’ guidance for its clear 3D-printing resin begins at 800 grit and moves to 1200 for an ultra-smooth surface. Smooth-On’s instructions for an Epoxacast 690 tabletop describe dry random-orbit sanding from 60 through 1000 grit, followed by wet sanding at 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit. These processes apply to their stated contexts; neither is a required recipe for every epoxy, resin, or hand-sanding job.
Rank #2
- Sandpaper Assortment Pack：9 x 3.6 inch pre-cut sheets (120/150/180/220/320/400/600/800/1000/1200/1500/2000/3000/5000:3 sheets of each) for woodworking, car repairs & metal restoration
- Wide Range of Usage: 120-220 grit is used for heavy material removal; 240-400 grit is ideal for intermediate sanding between finishes and smoothing hard surfaces; 600-1000 grit is used for ultra-smooth finishes before painting/coating; 1200-1500 grit is used for fine sand between lacquer coats. 2000-5000 grit is used for achieving a glass-smooth finish prior to polishing
- Wet & Dry Dual Use: Premium silicon carbide abrasive-Designed for wet sanding（auto bodies/glass）or dry applications（wood/drywall/metal）. Stays durable in both conditions for professional-grade results
- Premium Silicon Carbide: BMOTL sandpaper is built with silicon carbide abrasive particles firmly bonded to a tear-resistant latex paper, which increases productivity and reduces material consumption in various DIY/craft projects
- What You Get: 42 pcs 9 x 3.6 inch variety sander sheets. These sandpaper sheets deliver exceptional durability and performance. Whether you need coarse grits for heavy-duty tasks or ultra-fine grits for a smooth, polished finish, this variety pack has it all
Wet sanding or dry sanding?
Wet sanding is commonly used for fine finishing because it can reduce airborne dust and help keep abrasive paper from clogging. EPODEX recommends wet sanding after full cure, and Formlabs describes sanding under running water or with wet paper to help achieve a smooth finish. WEST SYSTEM also notes that many users prefer wet sanding because it reduces sanding dust.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
A process can combine both methods. Smooth-On’s Epoxacast 690 tabletop procedure uses dry sanding for early leveling, then wet sanding for finer stages. Follow the instructions for your resin and abrasive rather than assuming that every stage must be wet or that dry sanding is always unsuitable. Wet sanding reduces dust; it does not replace the safety measures required by the product’s safety information.
Rank #3
- Assortment Pack: This sanding sponge set includes 24 pieces with grits 80/120/180/240/320/400/500-600/800-1000/1200-1500/2000/2500/3000,each of 2, covering coarse material removal (80 grit) to ultra-fine polishing (3000 grit). Perfect for wood furniture refinishing, auto bodywork, and delicate surface prep—all in one convenient kit, each measuring 3.93 x 2.75 x 0.19 inches
- Durable & Comfortable Design: Made with a soft sponge buffering layer, these sanding blocks absorb vibrations, reduce hand fatigue, and provide a secure grip. The high-quality abrasive material ensures long-lasting use without tearing.
- Wet & Dry Use: Designed for both wet sanding paper (reduces dust, extends lifespan) and dry sanding (quick material removal). Perfect for automotive refinishing, wood furniture refinishing, and DIY projects.
- Ergonomic & Contours Easily: The sanding block shape fits comfortably in hand, while the flexible foam adapts to curves and tight corners, ensuring even sanding on flat or irregular surfaces.
- Wide Professional & DIY Applications: Whether you're polishing drywall, smoothing wood furniture, or prepping metal/auto surfaces, these sanding sponges are essential for craftsmen, carpenters, and home renovators.
For clear resin, sanding may need to be followed by polishing
Fine sanding leaves progressively smaller scratches, but it does not always restore optical clarity by itself. A clear surface can look hazy after sanding. If your goal is a glossy, transparent finish, use a compatible polishing compound and pad after the sanding stages specified for your resin. EpoxyPrices describes using polishing compound after fine sanding, while Smooth-On includes buffing and polishing stages in its Epoxacast 690 tabletop process.
Choose a polishing compound intended for a compatible material, such as a plastic or acrylic polishing compound for resin where appropriate. Follow the compound and resin makers’ directions; no particular product or sequence is guaranteed to produce a flawless result on every casting.
Rank #4
- 【MEETS ALL YOUR NEEDS】Atosun high grit sand paper set contains 45pcs wet dry sand paper assortment in grit 120, 150, 180, 240, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 5000, 3 sheets of each grit. Variety of sandpaper grit can meet most of your daily usage.
- 【PREMIUM QUALITY SAND PAPER】Sanding paper sheets are made from waterproof silicon carbide and are electro coated so it will not fall apart, tear off or crumble off whenever you use it.
- 【PERFECT FOR WET OR DRY USING】Waterproof and tensile resistant technology enables these abrasive paper sheets sturdy and lasts for a long time using in your projects, and they can be used for both wet and dry purposes.
- 【PERFECT SIZE AND EASY TO IDENTIFY】All the sand papers are in 9 x 3.6 inches, you also can cut it into any size as you need. The soft-back sand paper ensures a good hold by your hand and you can use it to polish the objects smoothly with only moderate effort, with high resistance to slip or loose during usage. The grits spec is printed on the back of the sandpapers for easy identification.
- 【MULTIFUNCTIONAL】 The sand Papers are suitable for usage in art and craft, wood, automotive, metal, and plastic applications for buffing and polishing.
For paint or varnish, leave the right surface texture
When resin will receive a coating, use that coating system’s preparation requirements to choose the final grit. Sanding too finely can leave too little surface tooth for some products to adhere well.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteAs WEST SYSTEM recommendations for its epoxy and coating context, 80–100 grit is usually sufficient for high-build or filling primer; 120–180 may suit some primers and high-solids coatings; and 220–400 can provide a high-gloss finish for many paints or varnishes. These are not universal specifications: check the instructions for both the resin and the coating you will use.
Best Value
- Full-Cycle Sanding Support - The car drill polishing kit featuring 3 inch sanding discs range 60/80/120/240/400/800/1000/1500/2000/3000/5000/10000 grit sandpaper for dry and wet use, with orbital sander pads, imitation wool buffing pad, and upgraded backing pads for 1/4 and 1/8 inch shank. Seamlessly transition from sanding to polishing.
- Clearly Marked and Long-Lasting - Drill sanding attachment made from durable silicon carbide sandpaper for drill polishing and buffing. Clearly marked grit size ensures effortless polishing with perfect precision every time. Paired with vibration-reducing interface foam sanding pad for extended use.
- Easy Install and Removal - Upgraded hook and loop backing pad plate ensures quick, secure attachment in seconds with powerful adhesion even wet sanding. No adapter needed, easy one-step installation. Made from quality polyurethane material with good balance. Simplify your polishing!
- Washable and Reusable - Imitation wool buffer polisher attachment and buffing pads for drill efficient sanding and polishing on intolerable surface, evolutionize items care with professional drill sander attachment. Washable for reusable, ensuring a smooth finish with cost-effective.
- Multi-Surface Application - Drill sander attachment perfect for detailing, tackling scratches on car, wheel, expoxy resin, paint, shower glass, wood, metal and beyond, from fine polishing to waxing. Achieve a smooth surface effortlessly, perfect for both professional and home use.
Safety and common problems
- Paper clogs or resin smears: Stop and check that the resin has reached full cure. Clean or replace clogged abrasive, and consult the resin’s technical data before continuing.
- New scratches appear: Remove epoxy residue from the paper and surface, then inspect whether the scratch pattern from the previous grit has actually been removed before moving on.
- The surface gets hot or edges lose definition: Ease pressure, work in short intervals, and inspect frequently. Thin edges and surface layers are easy to sand through.
- Dust or sanding slurry is present: Follow the resin’s safety documents and local disposal instructions. Do not assume wet-sanding slurry is safe to pour down a drain.
Use suitable dust protection, eye protection, and protective clothing or gloves as directed by the product safety information. For example, EPODEX lists a mask, goggles, and gloves; Smooth-On calls for a NIOSH-approved respirator, protective eyewear, and clothing when sanding or polishing fully cured epoxy. Requirements depend on the product and task, so consult its safety documents rather than treating one equipment list as universal.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
