Thread: Having trouble finding sandpaper over 400 grit?

Hey all,
I recently started my first restoration and I had a difficult time finding sandpaper over 400 grit. This was obviously frustrating. I checked lowes, walmart, & local hardware stores. We don't have any woodworking shops in the town I am in.

If you are having the same problem, I may have a solution for you (depending on your location of course). I found a plethora of different grit sandpaper at Autozone (this is an auto parts store in the U.S.). They have everything from 220-3000 grit sandpaper! I haven't checked yet but I assume other auto parts stores have the same supply of extremely fine grit sandpaper.

I hope this helps you all out,

D

Anothet place go check is Hobby Lobby. They have packs up to 12000 grit.

Originally Posted by dfafs

Hey all,
I recently started my first restoration and I had a difficult time finding sandpaper over 400 grit. This was obviously frustrating. I checked lowes, walmart, & local hardware stores. We don't have any woodworking shops in the town I am in.

If you are having the same problem, I may have a solution for you (depending on your location of course). I found a plethora of different grit sandpaper at Autozone (this is an auto parts store in the U.S.). They have everything from 220-3000 grit sandpaper! I haven't checked yet but I assume other auto parts stores have the same supply of extremely fine grit sandpaper.

I hope this helps you all out,

D

I get all my sand paper from here. I've spent a lot of money at Leevalley. Also a great place to buy hones.
3M Wet/Dry Sandpaper - Lee Valley Tools

There is a lot on eBay as well.

I have noticed the majority of higher grit paper is in the paint department and not in the tools or hardware departments.

I cant imagine a Lowes not carrying higher grit paper.

Originally Posted by erictski

I have noticed the majority of higher grit paper is in the paint department and not in the tools or hardware departments.

I cant imagine a Lowes not carrying higher grit paper.

lowes highest grit that I have seen is 400.
At walmart in the auto section I have seen 800- 2000 grit sand paper.

Look up your local auto body paint shop, they will stock the higher grits usually at a better price than the smaller retail packs. My local shop has Mirka paper which is good stuff and about 90 cents per full sheet if I remember correctly.

Hobby lobby sells small packs up to 12k, but it's one sheet of each. I get all my wet/dry sandpaper at the auto parts stores, they sell up to 2k in 3m brand. Anything above that and Alpha Precision Abrasives, that's where I get mine, and they are cheaper than micromesh products, but same thing.

I usually can find 2000 at lowes in the paint department. Most people use it for touching up paint and stain finishes.

Check the Woodcraft store, or wooodcraft.com