If you started with 80-grit paper, skip to 120-grit paper, or if 100 then to 150. Finally, sand with 220-grit sandpaper. For most types of wood, this is the finest grit you'll need.

Generally speaking, 30- and 60-grit papers are used for rough sanding, 100- to 150-grit sandpaper is for medium sanding and 220-grit sandpaper is used for finish sanding.

Sandpaper Grit Guide: How to Choose the Right Grade for Any Project Prepping wood or metal for painting or refinishing rarely calls for a one-size-fits-all solution.

Usually 30-and 60-grit papers are used for rough sanding, 100-to 150-grit sandpaper is for medium sanding and 220-grit sandpaper is used for finish sanding.

For the most part, you can still use a medium-grade sandpaper grit. 'We would use anything from a 120 grit up to a 220 grit paper for these areas,' says Anthony. 'It’s also important to note ...

He recommends making sure about 50 percent of your sandpaper stock is 120 grit, 30 percent is 80 grit, and 20 percent is 220 grit.

Sandpaper for blocking can be purchased in a variety of grits. Mark Oja recommends 220-grit sandpaper for the initial cutting of the primer. For the final surface prep, 400-grit paper is used.

Barely recognizable as sandpaper, the superfine category, which can go up to a 600-grit paper, is used to remove surface blemishes on finishes and sometimes tone down an undesired sheen.

A 220-grit paper might have pieces that match finely ground pepper. Look at an individual piece of sandpaper and you’ll notice the particles are just about all the same size.

Generally speaking 30- and 60-grit papers are used for rough sanding, 100- to 150-grit sandpaper is for medium sanding and 220-grit sandpaper is used for finish sanding.