Sia Air Pads vs. Mirka Abralon?

[Phred]

I ordered a bunch of Abralon pads in various grits (800 to 4000) to replace those used up on a recent project.  The seller substituted Sia pads that look similar but which, according to the companies' websites, are made with Aluminum Oxide in place of Abralon's Silicon Carbide.  Does anyone have any experience with the Sia pads?  I'm using them mostly to smooth water-based finishes (a bit between the last coats, mostly prior to final polishing).  Any reason to insist the seller provide what I originally ordered?  I did a quick search but didn't find much info about the use of Sia in woodworking applications.

I'm not really trying to start a discussion regarding the ethics behind the blind substitution--only trying to determine if an inferior product was substituted.  Both products sell for the same price on the seller's website.  Sia is Swiss and Mirka is German, so it doesn't look like a bald attempt to rip me off.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom, real-world experience, or theoretical musings.

Fred

 

[AlexThePalex]

SIA is NOT an inferior product. It is very good sandpaper. I use some of it too and I am impressed by the long use you get out of it and the sharpness of the sanding material.

It's Swiss made, and among professionals here it's the number one choice for delta sanders like the DTS400.

However, I don't know too much about it because I don't use it much. I am not familiar with all their different products so I can't comment on what paper is good for what application. I also can't say if you're going to be happy with the paper you received and that it will suit your specific needs.

I'm just saying that SIA by itself is a very good brand.

Now about just substituting the order for something else ........ I find that a very questionably practice. At least the supplier should have given you a call at forehand to ask your opinion about it. If I got something like that, and I knew the substitute would be alright, then I wouldn't mind, but, like in your case, when you get an unfamiliar product, I'd send it back.

 

[Phred]

Thanks for the information Alex--it confirms my initial impression.  I'm not happy about the substitution but will probably keep the pads and give them a try rather than deal with a return.  I'm certainly less likely to purchase from this vendor again.

Fred

 

[jakiiski]

First off, KWH Mirka is Finnish family-owned company, you can get more info on their PDF of the company itself.  They have daughter companies for example in Germany.

http://www.mirka.fi/0D761030-A76D-4868-929C-88A2715E9FC6

2ndly - knowing nothing of SIA, but there is a difference between silicon carbide vs. aluminium oxide - Mirka has a good PDF on that topic, too. They manufacture both kinds (and some others, too) of abrasive materials, but according to them silicon carbide provides better finish quality compared to aluminium oxide.  Aluminium oxide is like the jack of all trades in the abrasives, silicon carbide is more optimal in the sanding of paint, lacquer, polishing, MDF, plywood and hard woods. Silicon carbide is harder and the abrasive action is  more of a cutting one, aluminium oxide is more "plowing".

See - http://www.mirka.fi/288B96CD-CB85-4804-B218-0E7270BBC64B - page 34 and onwards.

 

[Phred]

Apologies for my ignorance and assumption regarding Mirka's home country.  And thank you for the link to their literature--it does appear that silicon carbide is more in line with my intended use.  As the vendor reacted quite indignantly and unprofessionally to my inquiry regarding why he had made the switch, I'm going to return the Sia and place a new order with someone else.

Thanks for the information!
Fred

 

[jvsteenb]

I can second Alex on the quality of Sia abrasives. Their foam-backed pads for example are second to none.

I can see why you would prefer SiC paper, for it's primarily used for consistent superfine finishes in the higher grit.

But since you're objective is to smooth out waterbased paints, I would most definitively choose an aluminum oxide paper, for SiC based papers are more prone to clogging.
Quite a few SiC based papers are stearate-coated for just this reason.
Waterbased acrylic paints are very prone to clogging in my experience, so in this case I would rather choose an Aluminum Oxide paper.

Just my 0.02

Regards,

Job