Sanding Rolls

About Sanding Rolls

Sanding rolls are an essential abrasive solution for tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts who need flexible, cost-effective material for a wide range of surface preparation tasks. Available in various grit sizes and backing materials, these versatile rolls allow you to cut custom lengths to suit any project, from fine finishing work to aggressive material removal. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks premium sanding rolls from trusted brands including Bosch Professional, Faithfull, Flexovit and Sealey.

Whether you're working with wood, metal, painted surfaces or composite materials, sanding rolls provide excellent value compared to pre-cut sheets. The continuous roll format means less waste and the ability to wrap abrasive material around blocks, dowels or custom-shaped sanding tools. MyToolShed offers aluminium oxide, silicon carbide and specialist finishing rolls in widths and lengths to match both professional workshop requirements and home project needs.

Applications

Sanding rolls are invaluable across numerous trades and applications:

• Carpentry and joinery: Smoothing timber, preparing surfaces for finishing, removing old varnish and paint
• Cabinet making: Fine finishing of furniture components, edge sanding, detail work
• Automotive bodywork: Flatting paintwork, removing rust, preparing surfaces for refinishing
• Decorating: Preparing walls and woodwork, smoothing filler, de-nibbing between paint coats
• Metalworking: Deburring, rust removal, surface preparation for welding or coating
• General maintenance: Restoration projects, DIY renovations, workshop fabrication
• Composite materials: Sanding fibreglass, preparing coatings, finishing plastics

Choosing The Right Sanding Rolls

Selecting the appropriate sanding roll depends on several key factors:

Abrasive material: Aluminium oxide suits wood and general-purpose applications, whilst silicon carbide excels on metals, painted surfaces and between coats. Specialist materials like Bosch's Expert range offer enhanced durability for demanding professional use.

Grit size: Coarse grits (40-80) remove material quickly, medium grits (100-150) balance stock removal with smoothness, and fine grits (180-400+) create finishing surfaces ready for coating or polishing.

Backing material: Paper backing provides flexibility and is economical for light work, whilst cloth backing offers superior durability and tear resistance for heavy-duty applications and power sanding.

Roll dimensions: Consider the width and length you need for your typical projects. Wider rolls suit large flat surfaces, whilst narrower widths offer better control for detailed work. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks various sizes to match different requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use sanding rolls with power tools?

Yes, sanding rolls with cloth backing are suitable for wrapping around drum sanders and other power tool attachments. However, paper-backed rolls are generally better suited to hand sanding or manual sanding blocks. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific application.

How do I store sanding rolls to maintain their effectiveness?

Store sanding rolls in a dry environment away from moisture and extreme temperatures. Keep them in their original packaging or wrapped to prevent dust accumulation and edge damage. Proper storage prevents the abrasive from clogging and maintains the backing material's integrity.

What's the difference between open coat and closed coat abrasives?

Open coat abrasives have spacing between the abrasive grains, which prevents clogging when sanding soft materials, paint or resinous woods. Closed coat features complete grain coverage for faster material removal on harder surfaces. Many professional ranges at MyToolShed offer both configurations for different applications.