Traditional paper-backed sandpaper has long been a DIYer's friend, and for good reason; however, I believe there's a lesser-known alternative that could change how you tackle your sanding projects in the future.
Known as mesh sandpaper, it does the same job as traditional sandpaper, but subtle design differences make it a smart choice for many DIY projects.
You can use it with an orbital sander to sand wood, a drywall sander to smooth walls, or a hand sander with a roll of cost-effective mesh sandpaper. Here, I explore the benefits, drawbacks, and where best to use it.
What is mesh sandpaper?
Mesh sandpaper is an alternative to standard paper-based sandpaper. It's essentially strands of interwoven sandpaper with an abrasive coating. It performs much like standard sandpaper, with a few key differences.
It comes in various types, which I'll come onto discuss next. And, like standard sandpaper, it comes in various shapes, sizes, and grits, so you can use it for hand sanding or with a power tool such as a random orbital sander like this Black and Decker BDCROS18 Cordless Sander from Amazon, which includes a mesh sandpaper pad.
Types of mesh sandpaper and where to buy
Different types of mesh sandpaper are available, but Mark Irving, building expert from Build & Plumb Irving, says the most common choice is standard abrasive mesh which is: “General-purpose net sheets or rolls used for woodworking, drywall, paint removal and metalworking.”
They are also available in different shapes such as circular sanding discs for orbital sanders and drywall sanders.
Mesh sandpaper is readily available from local hardware stores such as B&Q, Screwfix and Toolstation. Alternatively, you can buy it from a host of online retailers, including Amazon.
Shop for mesh sandpapers and sanders
A budget-friendly 125mm orbital sander. It comes with a brushless motor, a 2.0 Ah battery, a charger, a dust collector, 5 x sandpaper discs, and six speeds.
This 2.5m mesh sanding roll comes in four different grits: P80, P120, P180 and P420. It is 115mm wide and can be cut to fit square and rectangular pads.
A 50-piece set of 125mm mesh sanding discs for random orbital sanders. Available as a mixed-grit set, or choose grits from 80-320 to suit your sanding project.
Mark has over 20 years of experience in the building sector, leading to a wealth of knowledge surrounding building and renovating that he enjoys sharing with others who are looking to complete their own building projects.
The pros and cons of mesh sandpaper
Mesh sandpaper isn't new; it's been around for decades, although not as long as traditional sandpaper. People commonly used it to sand plaster walls and for less DIY-focused jobs, such as automotive finishing. However, as it has evolved, it has become a popular alternative for almost any DIY project. Mark Irving shares some of the pros and cons.
Pros of mesh sandpaper
+Improved dust extraction
Traditional sandpaper has a solid backing that can trap dust on the surface, whereas mesh has many tiny holes across the entire surface. When used with a sander that has a vacuum or dust extractor, it collects almost all the dust. Also, there's no need to line up the holes on sandpaper with the holes on the sander's hook-and-loop pad.
+Longer lifespan
Dust passes through the sandpaper instead of building up, causing clogging and piling. This means that a piece of mesh sandpaper can last several times longer than traditional sandpaper.
+Better quality finish
Dust is consistently being pulled away, meaning the abrasive grain of the sandpaper is fully exposed to sand cleanly. This gives a more even rate of material removal, providing a smoother finish with less risk of surface scratches.
+Reusable
If mesh sandpaper becomes clogged with fine debris, you can easily clean it to renew the abrasive rather than throwing it away which makes it better for the environment.
Cons of mesh sandpaper
-Higher cost
Mesh sanding discs typically cost more per disc than traditional sandpaper. However, their longer lifespan can offset the higher price.
-Edge snagging
The open structure of mesh means it can easily catch on sharp corners, rough grain, or exposed edges.
-Limited grit range
Abrasive mesh is often available only in medium to coarse grits and rarely comes in ultra-coarse or ultra-fine grits. However, I would say its range is perfectly acceptable for common DIY projects like paint removal and wood sanding.
One thing I would also add is that mesh sandpaper isn't the best choice for sanding by hand. Paper-backed sandpaper is easier to use, lets you get into areas mesh struggles with, and the paper helps protect your hands.
What DIY tasks do you use it for?
I recently converted to using mesh sandpaper after getting a Black & Decker cordless orbital sander that came with a circular mesh sanding disc. I liked it so much I decided to purchase more.
I've used them with my orbital sanders mainly for paint removal and sanding windows, doors, and floors, and the beauty is their reusability. They don't clog as quickly, and you can clean them and use again. Elsewhere, I used them for prepping walls and rubbing down filler.
You can also buy mesh pads (like these Trend Mesh Abrasive Detail Sanding Sheets from Amazon) for detail sanders. This allows for more intricate jobs. Effectively, you can use mesh sandpaper on most DIY projects that standard sandpaper can handle.
If you use mesh sandpaper for hand sanding, you really need a block, or one of the best hand sanders to get a good finish and avoid destroying your hands. I sometimes wear gloves as well.
How much does mesh sandpaper cost?
In general, mesh sandpaper costs more than standard sandpaper. As an example, mesh sandpaper pads for an orbital sander, like this 50 Pcs 125mm Mesh Sanding Discs 120 Grit Hook and Loop Net Sandpaper from Amazon, cost £24. A similar set of paper-based sanding pads, like these 120 Grit Sanding Discs 50 Pcs from Amazon, costs around £10.
However, you can find cheaper mesh sandpaper, like this ProDec Advance 5m Roll 120 Grit Sanding Mesh Roll from Amazon, which costs around £5. Obviously, this is best for hand sanding or specific sanders, but not random orbital sanders with circular pads.
When not to use mesh sandpaper
While mesh sandpaper brings with it plenty of benefits, it's not always the best choice for some sanding jobs. These will often be similar jobs that standard sandpaper isn't good at tackling. One obvious downside is surfaces with exposed nail heads. As soon as the protruding head of a nail (or similar) catches the mesh, it instantly tears it.
Beyond the obvious, Mark Irving notes a few other details: "Smaller features or edges smaller than half a centimetre lack enough surface contact area for the mesh to sand effectively.” He adds, “It also lacks the solid backing necessary for effective wet slurry removal on rough metal.”
Also, if you use it on a hook-and-loop system, it needs a backing to protect the pad. Most pre-cut pads for orbital sanders will have this in place, but rolls often won't. To protect a hook-and-loop pad, you will need a pad saver like this Trend 125 mm Pad Saver for Random Orbital Sanders from Amazon.
Add mesh sandpaper to your DIY toolkit to tackle a wide range of project such as learning how to build pantry shelves, or for more renovation tasks, find out what experts recommend for sanding stairs.
