Abrasives & Surface Preparation Tools for Decorating

Proper surface preparation is essential for achieving a professional-quality paint finish. Whether you’re working on wood, plaster, or previously painted surfaces, using the right abrasives ensures better adhesion, smoother coverage, and longer-lasting results. Explore a full range of sandpaper sheets, sanding blocks, and prep tools designed to support every stage of your project.

Why Surface Preparation Matters

Abrasives help flatten rough areas, remove flaking paint, and smooth out fillers before applying a topcoat. Skipping this step can lead to peeling, uneven textures, or poor paint performance—especially in high-traffic areas or moisture-prone environments like kitchens and bathrooms. For best results, pair your prep work with the rightprimer and undercoat paint to ensure long-term durability.

Key Abrasive Types

Sandpaper Sheets

Flexible and easy to cut, these are ideal for hand sanding flat or broad surfaces before applyinginterior wall and ceiling paint.

Sanding Blocks

Perfect for applying consistent pressure over larger areas or contours, sanding blocks help prep trim, mouldings, andwood surfaces for a smoother finish.

Grit Grades

• Coarse (40–80 grit): Best for stripping old coatings or rough timber

• Medium (100–150 grit): Ideal for smoothingfiller and general surface prep
  Fine (180–240+ grit): Used between coats for finishing touches or preparing newly plastered walls
  

Use-Cases: Wood, Plaster, and Filler

• Wood: Start with coarse grit for varnish removal, then finish with fine grit before applying undercoat or gloss paint.

• Plaster: Use medium to fine grades to feather edges and flatten uneven spots before painting.

• Filler: Once fully dry, lightly sand with medium or fine grit to blend into surrounding areas, ensuring a seamless surface ready for topcoat.
  

For best results, pair these abrasives with quality decorating tools like scrapers, filling knives, and dust sheets to keep your project clean and professional from start to finish.