Shop Coated Abrasives

Coated Abrasives

Coated abrasives are among the most widely used tools in surface preparation and finishing across various industries, including metalworking, woodworking, automotive repair, construction, and fabrication. Whether you're smoothing rough metal welds, preparing wood surfaces for painting, or polishing composite materials, coated abrasives provide the flexibility, performance, and versatility needed to complete the job effectively.

Unlike bonded abrasives, which are formed into solid shapes, such as wheels or stones, coated abrasives are created by attaching abrasive grains to a flexible backing material using a bonding agent. These abrasive products are available in various forms, including belts, discs, sheets, rolls, and specialty shapes, designed to fit a wide range of applications.

Common Abrasive Grain Types

Understanding the differences between grain types helps you select the right coated abrasive for your specific application.

• Aluminum Oxide: A durable, long-lasting abrasive used for both wood and metal. It’s a go-to choice for general-purpose sanding and grinding.
• Silicon Carbide: A sharper but more brittle grain, ideal for sanding hard materials like stone, glass, plastic, and non-ferrous metals.
• Zirconia Alumina: A high-performance, self-sharpening grain perfect for removing heavy stock on stainless steel, titanium, and other hard metals.
• Ceramic Alumina: A premium grain that offers outstanding cutting power and durability. Typically used in high-pressure applications or where maximizing productivity is crucial.

Each type of grain provides a unique balance of cutting speed, durability, and heat resistance. The more demanding the task, the higher-quality the grain should be.

Types of Backing Materials

The backing material chosen can significantly influence how an abrasive product performs, especially under various pressures and operating conditions.

• Paper Backing: Lightweight and flexible, ideal for hand sanding and light-duty tasks. Offered in multiple weights (A to F grade) to suit different jobs.
• Cloth Backing: Stronger and more durable than paper, making it ideal for machine sanding and heavy-duty tasks. Frequently used in belts and rolls.
• Fiber Backing: Made from vulcanized fiber, this backing is stiff and rigid, ideal for use with resin fiber discs and other heavy-duty grinding tools.
• Film Backing: Thin, tear-resistant, and waterproof. Film-backed abrasives are ideal for achieving a uniform finish, particularly in wet/dry sanding applications.

Choosing the right backing depends on whether you need flexibility, tear resistance, water tolerance, or maximum durability.

Grit Sizes and Their Uses

Coated abrasives come in a wide range of grit sizes, which show how coarse or fine the abrasive particles are

• Coarse (24–60 grit): Removes material efficiently. Perfect for stripping paint, leveling surfaces, or heavy grinding.
• Medium (80–150 grit): Suitable for surface prep, deburring, and general sanding.
• Fine (180–320 grit): Used for smoothing surfaces and finishing in between.
• Very Fine (400–3000 grit): For polishing, ultra-smooth finishing, or wet sanding.

The lower the grit number, the more abrasive the material. Always choose the right grit for your project stage to prevent unnecessary rework or damage.

Coated Abrasive Categories

Hanes Supply offers a wide range of coated abrasive products to meet the needs of professionals and DIYers in various industries. Below is a breakdown of each coated abrasive category available on our site, with quick highlights to help you find the best fit for your application.

Sanding Belts

Sanding belts are continuous loops of abrasive material used on belt sanders for quick and aggressive stock removal. They’re ideal for leveling surfaces and grinding wood or metal. Available in various widths, grits, and grain types.

• Ideal for high-speed grinding and material removal
• Used in woodworking, metalworking, and fabrication
• Available in narrow, wide, and segmented formats

Sanding Sheets

Sanding sheets are rectangular abrasives used for hand sanding or with orbital sanders. They’re versatile, easy to fold, and effective on wood, paint, drywall, and more. Available in different backings and grit ranges.

• Ideal for surface prep, smoothing, and light stripping
• Easy to cut or fold for corners and tight spots
• Available in paper, cloth, and film backings

Sanding Rolls

Sanding rolls are long, flexible strips that can be cut to the desired length. Perfect for hand sanding or wrapping around blocks and custom tools. Available with cloth or paper backing for different durability levels.

• Ideal for custom-sized tasks and contoured surfaces
• Common in maintenance, woodworking, and finishing
• Available in multiple widths and grits

Flap Discs

Flap discs combine grinding and finishing into a single step by using overlapping abrasive flaps. Designed for use with angle grinders, they are perfect for weld cleanup, deburring, and blending. As the flaps wear down, new layers are revealed.

• Long-lasting with consistent cutting performance
• Great for metal fabrication and surface finishing
• Available in aluminum oxide, zirconia, and ceramic grains

Flap Wheels

Flap wheels consist of abrasive flaps arranged around a central hub for smooth, adaptable sanding. They are ideal for finishing curves, tubing, and other uneven surfaces. Used in everything from woodworking to stainless steel polishing.

• Conforms to complex shapes and profiles
• Ideal for polishing, deburring, and smoothing
• Available in various sizes and grit levels

Fiber Discs

Fiber discs are heavy-duty grinding tools with a stiff vulcanized backing. Used with angle grinders, they deliver aggressive performance for weld removal and surface preparation. Built to withstand high pressure and resist loading.

• Excellent for grinding metal, rust, and scale
• Used in weld cleanup, beveling, and prep work
• Compatible with standard angle grinders

Benefits of Coated Abrasives

Coated abrasives provide several benefits that make them essential in industrial and workshop environments.

• Versatility: From heavy grinding to fine polishing, coated abrasives are available in formats suitable for nearly every application.
• Ease of Use: Lightweight and flexible, they work with a wide variety of tools—manual or powered.
• Cost-Effective: Compared to bonded abrasives, coated options are usually more affordable and good for multiple uses in multi-step processes.
• Customizable: Available in a wide range of grits, sizes, and backings to provide maximum control over the finish quality.

Choosing the Right Coated Abrasive

To select the best product for your needs, consider the following factors:

• Material Type: Select a grain type that suits the substrate—wood, metal, plastic, etc.
• Application Method: Identify if you're using a belt sander, orbital sander, angle grinder, or hand sander.
• Finish Level: Match the grit to your preferred surface finish, whether it's for aggressive removal or final polishing.
• Durability Requirements: If you're working under high pressure or with tough materials, choose ceramic or zirconia abrasives on a cloth or fiber backing.

Whether you're smoothing welds, prepping wood for stain, or polishing precision components, coated abrasives are a dependable and high-performance solution. With the wide range of options available at Hanes Supply—including belts, discs, rolls, and specialty shapes—you’re sure to find the perfect abrasive for every stage of your project. Take advantage of our extensive product selection and let your surfaces shine with professional-grade results.