Fine sandpaper end-of-life

[Steve1]

I have recently been trying my hand at polishing out water based poly.
I start at about 1200 grit dry, go to 2000 dry, 2000 wet, 3000 wet and then Mirka Polarshine 10 and then Mirka VF5.
It's been working out exceptionally well, so far.

However, the one thing I have not figured out is when my Abrolon 2000 and 3000 grit soft pads are worn out and should be replaced.
Dry sanding with the lower grits, its a little easier to tell if it gets clogged or stops cutting.
But the 2000 and 3000 grit soft pads don't seem to clog when wet sanding.
I can't tell the difference just trying to feel the surface of the pad. 
The amount of material being removed is pretty minimal, so not sure if I would be able to see the difference in cutting.

Any suggestions on how to tell when a 3000 grit soft pad needs to be replaced ?

 

[Huey52]

As I use a gum stick to clean and extend the life of sandpaper after each use I can tell by the friction between same. Visual inspection as well but as you cite that's often difficult. With the very fine grits it's only a very slight friction-difference between still viable and needing replacement. I only clean the wet sandpaper once it's dry.

When I really can't tell by cleaning stick friction then it's time to replace. As many I tend to hold onto used paper a bit too long but I now better try to overcome my Yankee frugality when I realize same. ;-)

e.g.:https://www.rockler.com/rockler-rub...8mnOz0eCjUDuzuTtuqX8ym4ZOPgkR1J0aAmQkEALw_wcB

 

[luvmytoolz]

The Abralon discs are really great quality and pretty much last an extremely long time so long as they're kept reasonably clean. I work through the whole range when doing resin work, and have some that are years old but still work just fine.

I think you'll find they'll be good for way longer than you'd ever expect, and would only need replacing when it's really obvious they're not doing anything.

In the same vein I have a set of micro mesh pads for pen turning that have done a staggering amount of pens over the years, and they keep on producing great results to this day.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

As has been stated, they last an incredibly long time, as long as they are not damaged by snagging an edge or something.
However, I am not a huge fan of those super high grits though. (Assuming you are polishing beyond sanding anyway) Basically every compound out there will remove anything above about 1200 grit or so. making it extra steps for nothing.

I often polish both cast acrylic and solid surface (Corian), I generally stop "sanding" at 1200. I use a product called Fusion-foam from Klingspor. It's a combo grit 800-1200. (they do go higher, but I don't use it) after that comes the Novus polish. It can go to near glass quality shine.