Granat vs Brilliant 2

[Ken Nagrod]

Corrected show address above.

 

[GaryB]

I've been enjoying the granat so-far on my little diy hybrid sander. The paper seems to last a good long time. I do want to get some 400 grit Brilliant 2 soon though, non sterated is nice for the fine pre finish. I'd also like to get Crystal in 90 size, that stuff refuses to load.

 

[tbellemare]

From what I can gather, the grit in the rougher (120 and below) is similar to what 3M calls Cubitron. It's a ceramic aluminum oxide that is tougher and more fracture resistant than plain aluminum oxide grains. The finer grits (150 and above) are blue fired aluminum oxide.

It also apparently has a synthetic backing so it can be used wet.

I don't know if stearated is the right term for Festool abrasives but Granat is apparently coated. Stearated paper would be waxy and I think the Festool papers have a more sophisticated coating.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

Joe

It is stearated, and does not mess with waterborne coatings. I have been testing Granat for a few months now in some challenging circumstances. Here is a clip of an RO stripping exterior painted sapele and then applying waterborne dye stain. Total opposites in finish spectrum.

 

[Scott B.]

Joe,

I agree on the video quality...working on that side of my technology.  [big grin] We are total wood nuts and deal with alot of exotics in both clear and paint grades. Granat has not disappointed us at all, in any situation yet.

 

[KentonIwao]

Since the other paint stripping papers(saphir and cristal) are not available for the round 90 your best option is Granat for lower grits and it works great.  Cuts fast and lasts forever(on paint).  As for the coating  Festool calls it an anti-static coating and says it will definitely not cause any problems with finishes.    For the higher grits you should experiment.  Sanding between coats of lacquer for ex.  they  cut slightly differently as the Brilliant 2 is more open coated and might cut quicker.  The Rubin is close coated (grit spacing is tighter)  and I feel gives a superior fine finishing result on bare wood.  It is best for removing small amounts of wood to obtain a nice surface ready for finishing.

Granat- best for quick removal of material, and tearing through old finishes. (40,60,80)

Rubin- best for prep sanding bare wood , smooth (100-180)

Brilliant 2 -  between coat smoothing of finishes (220 and above)

also the granat is now available in super fine grits for the ro 90 - 500, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500

 

[Scott B.]

Great for polishing as well. This may be one of the least promoted features of all the Rotex sanders. It is kind of counterintuitive because the first impression that gear driven mode makes on users is that it is a material removal beast. Also, a delicate polisher.

 

[mouppe]

I was recommended Granat 400 over Brilliant 400 for polishing wood by someone at Festool USA the other day. Then you would continue with Platin 2 etc etc.

 

[Scott B.]

Joe

Its a great idea. You can get a glass finish. Get some Maguires polishing cream and practice a bit. Its an amazing process.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Joe, I'll be posting a video that I shot with Brian, one of our trainers, yesterday that shows the process of using Granat and polishing compounds to bring a surface to a mirror-like finish.

There are no issues using Granat on any finish. It has been tested pretty extensively at this point.

 

[Scott B.]

Joe

Its a great idea. You can get a glass finish. Get some Maguires polishing cream and practice a bit. Its an amazing process.

Thanks, Scott.  I know a guy that looooves Woodchuck!

Joe

Joe

I think I am that guy!  ;D

 

[mouppe]

I was recommended Granat 400 over Brilliant 400 for polishing wood by someone at Festool USA the other day. Then you would continue with Platin 2 etc etc.

Richard,
My plan is to sand a water based finish with Granat from 400 (or the coarsest required depending on finish quality) through each grit to 1500.  Then proceed with buffing compounds.  Good idea?  Can anyone provide input?  Thanks in advance.

Joe

Although you'll be sanding the finish, the smoothness of the wood underneath is critical. Sand that to 220 or even 320 before applying the finish. And I would go with platin  2 from 1000 grit upwards.

 

[RONWEN]

Joe

It is stearated, and does not mess with waterborne coatings. I have been testing Granat for a few months now in some challenging circumstances. Here is a clip of an RO stripping exterior painted sapele and then applying waterborne dye stain. Total opposites in finish spectrum.

Great information Scott!  I just subscribed to your page. Thanks.

 

[Scott B.]

Thanks Ron.

 

[worldburger]

Joe, I'll be posting a video that I shot with Brian, one of our trainers, yesterday that shows the process of using Granat and polishing compounds to bring a surface to a mirror-like finish.

There are no issues using Granat on any finish. It has been tested pretty extensively at this point.

Can you post a link to that video (or one similar) re: granat and using polishing compounds?