Head to head · 40 vs. 80
Sheets
3M 9×11 40-Grit Sandpaper (5-pack)
Comes in at 40 and leaves nothing to argue about.
Sheets
Norton 3X Sheet Sandpaper — 80 Grit (20-pack)
When 100-grit has been disappointing you and you're done being patient.
Side by side.
| 3M 9×11 40-Grit | Norton 3X Sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Sheets | Sheets |
| Grit | 40 | 80 |
| Material | aluminum oxide | ceramic |
| Price tier | Mid | Pro |
| Best for | rough stock removal, old paint, reclaimed lumber | rough wood, old paint, aggressive shaping |
The verdict
How rough is the surface, and how much do you want left of it.
40-grit aluminum oxide removes material faster than anything else in the sheet aisle — old paint, weathered lumber, anything that needs to come off in a hurry. Norton's 80-grit ceramic still bites hard but leaves a surface you can step up from without sanding the lower grit out for the next twenty minutes. 40 is for stripping. 80 is for shaping.
Pick 3M if
You're removing, not refining. There's paint or rot in the way.
Pick Norton if
The surface is rough but salvageable. You want it shaped, not stripped.
Ready to decide?
3M 9×11 40-Grit Sandpaper (5-pack)
Comes in at 40 and leaves nothing to argue about.
Norton 3X Sheet Sandpaper — 80 Grit (20-pack)
When 100-grit has been disappointing you and you're done being patient.
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