It can I guess, but for the most part when you progress up in grits making sure that every scratch from previous grits is eliminated by the time you get to polishing compounds you are in good shape.
It might I suppose, the glue would have to be flexible though... I'll try this out.
Yeah... actually I do have an update, this mandrel method really does work best with abrasives with a strong and flexible backing... micromesh works very well and I've had some good luck with emory cloth in these mandrels.