With sandpaper, what does a lower grit indicate?

A lower grit number on sandpaper signifies a coarser texture. Grit refers to the size of the abrasive particles on the sandpaper; the lower the number, the larger the particles and the more aggressive the sanding action. This allows for rapid material removal, making it ideal for tasks such as shaping wood or removing old finishes. Coarse grit sandpaper is effective for smoothing out rough surfaces or repairing imperfections before moving on to higher grit options for finer finishing.

In contrast, higher grit sandpaper contains smaller particles, resulting in a finer texture that is better suited for polishing and achieving a smooth finish. Understanding this relationship between grit size and texture is essential for selecting the appropriate sandpaper for any given task in aerospace assembly, where precision and quality surface finishes are critical.