HOW DO YOU SAND GLASS? 

Make sure to wear gloves and face/eye protection when dealing with glass; it is important to take the safety precautions so you do not get hurt. Glass turns into small flying particles as it's being sanded which can make it very dangerous if it is shot at your face or hands. A smart idea can be using a clamp on the piece of glass to prevent it from slipping from your hand – do not clamp it too hard or it can cause the glass to shatter or crack. There are different techniques and products that one should use for different types of glass. 

Silicon carbide discs, sandpaper, or belts are the best abrasive grain for sanding glass due to it being the sharpest of the grains. It is great for scratch patterns and faster cutting. First we will talk about silicon carbide discs. Discs are good for heavy duty work; however, you need a light hand along with light pressure for this. You will need to attach the disc to a tool called an angle grinder. Use circular movements after you have wet the silicon carbide disc.  There are also silicon carbide sandpaper sheets – called wet/dry sheets – that are great for a variety of projects as well. They are waterproof, and we actually recommend using these sheets with a solution or water. Along with being waterproof, they also resist heat which can be helpful so you don't overheat or damage the glass. Silicon carbide belts that are waterproof are a great choice for sanding glass as well. They can be attached to belt sander machines or tools that can help assist you in the process – using a belt can be a lot more time efficient. Wet sanding glass will help get fine scratches and bumps out of the surface. It is important to pick sandpaper that is waterproof, as you have to use a liquid such as water or a solution of your choice. Using regular sandpaper when wet sanding will only lead to more problems. Wet sanding will also minimize any dust and debris from the surface or abrasive grain. 

Although wet sanding will get you a beautiful mirror finish on your glass, you usually will want to start with dry sanding. If you are looking to remove some stock from the glass, dry sanding should be used before you even begin wet sanding. However, if you are not looking to remove any surface level, wet sanding will be just fine. 

If you are still unsure about which sanding method you should use between wet sanding and dry sanding, I will further explain some benefits of each one. Essentially, these two methods provide different outcomes. Dry sanding will even out the glass surface that you are working on, whereas wet sanding will give you a nice and even finish. Dry sanding may leave you with some minor scratches and imperfections that the wet sanding process will later remove. A good rule to remember is the motions and movements for these methods. Dry sanding uses small and circular movements to correctly even out your project, and wet sanding uses linear movements as if you are painting.