Rotex 150 - sandpaper advice please

[mrboult]

Good day Foggers. . .

I was hoping someone could give me some advice. I am not very educated on the complexities of sanding paper and various surfaces. . . Most of my sanding is usually finish sanding.

I have been using my Rotex to sand some old reclaimed pine floor boards that have a dark paint finish. To my surprise a new sheet of  Rubin 40 grit  becomes awfully unproductive after sanding 1 foot of a plank! There is obviously a lot of surface left on the sandpaper but it quickly looses it's sharpness and ceases to remove much material.

My question is, would I be a lot better off with another type of paper? Maybe the Brilliant paper type?

Many thanks.
James.

 

[VW mick]

James

You need granat 40 or 60 just won't clog up. I've sanded off PU paint and stain on reclaimed timber

You will be amazed how long they last

 

[elfick]

If you check out http://www.festoolusa.com/abrasives they recommend Granat for almost everything except bare wood (Rubin) and Polishing (Platin). I've taken to getting Granat, Rubin, and Saphir. I'll pick up up Platin if I ever need it. For your application, I'd go with Granat or Saphir depending on how heavy the paint is.

 

[mrboult]

Thanks for the replies guys, that's great. I'll get some Grannat tomorrow and see how I go. 

Thank you for the help!

 

[Brent Taylor]

I have been using Brilliant 2 with good results on painted and varnished surfaces. Robin for bare wood and drywall.

 

[sae]

40 grit Granat lasted only slightly longer than 24 grit Saphir on shellac. Like 20 minutes, tops.

I bought the Metabo paint remover, works much better instead of burning through tons of abrasives.

 

[TheTrooper]

I had the same issue on a Aluminum Oxide Finish today. The Granat 40 didn't even scuff the surface.  This finish is like bulletproof.  Any suggestions on what will break aluminum Oxide.  I talked to a Bona rep and they have a platinum series paper made for it but non of them fix my sanders.

 

[tbellemare]

I had the same issue on a Aluminum Oxide Finish today. The Granat 40 didn't even scuff the surface.  This finish is like bulletproof.  Any suggestions on what will break aluminum Oxide.  I talked to a Bona rep and they have a platinum series paper made for it but non of them fix my sanders.

The grit on Granat is aluminum oxide. The grit on P40, P60, and P80 Granat is also a ceramic of aluminum oxide to make it stay sharp longer. Abrasives dull when the individual grits' corners round off and Granat is a ceramic in the bigger grits. As a ceramic, when the corners break off, the result is more sharp corners.

3M pioneered the technology with what they call, Cubitron.

My guess is that if you want to abrade aluminum oxide successfully, you need something harder than aluminum oxide, like silicon carbide or diamonds?

Tom

 

[mrboult]

Thanks for the initial advice to my question guys! I had some granet paper delivered today and while I only got a chance to briefly try it. . It seems way way better for the job. Working faster and lasting longer.

Thanks FOG!

 

[leakyroof]

Thanks for the initial advice to my question guys! I had some granet paper delivered today and while I only got a chance to briefly try it. . It seems way way better for the job. Working faster and lasting longer.

Thanks FOG!

. Don't feel bad, very classic Festool Moment to clog up a disc of Rubin.  [embarassed]

 

[semenza]

  It can also be helpful to  reduce the sander speed a bit (try four) and keep it moving around an somewhat larger area, don't let it dwell. Helps keep the paint from heating up and melting onto the abrasive. 

Seth