Cleaning Sand Paper - 125mm

[ForumMFG]

I was sanding some wood with an oil finish on it this weekend.  I needed to remove the oil and all I had was denatured alcohol in the shop.  It didn't do a good job so I took the RO125 to it.  I was using Rubin sand paper so it clogged up in about 30 seconds or so of use.  I noticed that when I would peel the disc off from the stick-fix, it would start to unclogg the sand paper a little.  So I took a wire brush to the sand paper to clean it up.  It did an amazing job and made it look as if it was new and quick.  So this is my question:  Is the sand paper really almost new after you take a wire brush to it or does it damage the surface of the abrasive?  Is it safe for the abrasive? It really does work but I feared that the wire brush can remove some of the abrasive, or damage it in a way that it can change the swirl mark pattern or even make it deeper.  Something along those lines, I'm just concerned about it.  If it's safe, this is a very quick way to clean these discs.  They were so clogged up that a abrasive cleaning stick would not even be able to remove any of it.  Let me know what you guys think.

-Dave

 

[Brice Burrell]

Dave, you'll likely be fine. Sure the wire brush may cause some of the particles to be come dislodged after a few cleanings but the alternative is throw out your paper with almost no use. With some finishes that is just the nature of the game but there are times when the material will come off fairly easily like your experiencing now. I say go for it but keep a littler more of an eye out for swirl marks than usual.

 

[ForumMFG]

Thanks Brice, I know you commented on the Rubin sand paper and how you have the Love/Hate relationship with it.  I do to.  I really like the Crystal for this application because it does not clogg up nearly as fast.  It would be nice if it was made in just a few more different grits.