Originally Posted by
PierreR
Sorry Gregg, I missed this question...
If I am hogging away material, I start with a 36 grit belt, then 80, 120, 240, 400, then I progress through Gators down to A30. I switch from Gators then to the finer Trizact belts. If desired, they go to 2500 grit. I usually stop at 1200, then switch to cork belts with different abrasives, or buffing compounds. There are several bar type compounds I use, black emery, green chromium, white diamond, Zam (A product name) and pink scratchless.
If I am after a mirror finish, I will hand sand parallel to the spine, to 1000 grit papers, then a cloth wheel buff till I am happy with the finish.