Choose a sanding-belt grit for the material, the surface you have and the finish you need. Test the finest grit that does the job effectively, then use finer grades to remove the previous scratch pattern. A rough part and a nearly finished part should not automatically start with the same belt.
First confirm the belt size for your machine and model. Then check the exact product’s abrasive, backing and available grits. A grit number alone does not establish machine fit or suitability for the work.
Sanding belt grit chart: how to use the ranges
These are broad selection categories, not a required sequence or a promise that every grit is available in every size. Check the belt specification and test the result before committing to a full job.
| Grit range | Selection role | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 24–60 | Coarse removal or shaping | Use only when the surface needs substantial work. Allow for subsequent scratch refinement. |
| 80–120 | Intermediate sanding and refinement | Check whether the earlier scratches are gone before moving finer. |
| 150–220 | Finer preparation or finishing stages | Follow the coating or finish specification; this is not a universal stopping range. |
| 240–800 | Selected fine-finishing stages | Confirm the grading system, belt construction and required result. A higher number does not by itself guarantee a polished finish. |
Browse sanding belts by size and application to see the options for the belt you need.
How do I choose a grit progression?
- Define the job. Record the work material, current surface, amount to remove and target finish.
- Test a starting grit. Use a representative offcut or test area. Check removal and the scratches it leaves.
- Inspect each step. Move finer when the previous scratch pattern has been removed. If scratches persist, review the preceding step before adding more pressure.
- Keep a useful record. Note the exact belt product, grading label, sequence and result so a successful test can be repeated.
There is no single “skip one grit” rule for every belt and material. The appropriate steps depend on the abrasive product and required finish. This guide does not assign a fixed scratch depth or sanding time to a grit number.
What grit should I use on wood before finishing?
Follow the instructions for the exact stain, paint or topcoat. Norton’s bare-wood sanding guidance distinguishes coarse removal from finer preparation and recommends choosing the finest grit that works effectively.
For a specific example, General Finishes lists 120 followed by 150 grit for raw-wood paint preparation. Its stain and topcoat recommendations differ by product and wood type. That example is not a universal belt-sander recipe. Check its preparation and sanding instructions, or the instructions for the finish you are actually using, and test the finished appearance on a sample.
What changes for steel, stainless steel and aluminum?
Start with the specified surface result and a belt intended for that material. For stainless steel, a named finish such as No. 4 cannot be guaranteed by one grit-and-color combination. Norton’s stainless-steel finishing guide describes a range of final abrasive grades depending on the application. Compare a test piece with the required finish or approved sample.
For aluminum, confirm the exact belt’s material suitability and operating instructions before choosing a sequence. For knife work, identify the steel and its heat-treatment stage when asking for a belt recommendation. This chart does not establish a heat-treatment procedure or a universal cooling method. Browse Maverick’s knife-making abrasives and check the options on the individual product.
Is P120 the same as an unmarked 120 grit?
The P designation identifies a coated-abrasive grading system described by FEPA’s abrasive-grain guidance. Other grading systems also exist. Do not infer the standard from the seller’s country or treat an unmarked number as a confirmed equivalent.
Check the belt marking or product specification. If you are comparing different systems, use a documented comparison for the exact grades. A single average particle size does not describe the complete grain-size distribution, so this guide does not offer an unverified micron-conversion table.
Do non-woven surface-conditioning belts remove material?
They can. The result depends on the product and grade. For example, 3M describes its Scotch-Brite SE surface-conditioning belt for deburring, blending and removing surface imperfections. “Non-woven” does not mean zero cutting action, and that example is not a specification for every Maverick belt.
Use the exact product description when choosing between a coated belt and a surface-conditioning belt. Compare Maverick surface-conditioning abrasives; do not assume a belt’s color is a universal grit or finish standard.
Sanding belt grit questions
Should I always start with 60 grit?
No. Start from the condition of the work and the required result. Test a suitable belt before using a coarse grade that may create more refinement work.
Does a fine sanding belt remove no material?
A fine grit number is not a guarantee of zero removal. Check the test piece and the product’s intended use; do not select a belt on that assumption.
Can I use the same grit sequence for paint, stain and clear finish?
Not automatically. Use the preparation instructions for the exact finish and test on the same material.
What information helps Maverick recommend a belt?
Send the machine model, confirmed belt width and full loop length, work material, current surface, desired finish and quantity. Include any current belt markings. Request a custom sanding-belt quote if the confirmed size is not listed; available construction, quantity and lead time should be confirmed with the quote.