The Right Abrasive for Each Stage of Surface Work

When it comes to surface work, choosing the right abrasive for the job at hand isn’t always easy. From heavy stock removal to polishing, there are multiple steps you must take to get to a finished project.

Different types of abrasives are designed for different tasks, so it’s important to know what they do and when to use them. By understanding which abrasives are best suited for each stage, you can ensure you get the results you want for your surface.

Here are steps you should take for surface work and the best abrasives for each.

1. Grinding and Shaping

For this stage, the goal is to remove unwanted material fast. That means you’ll want an abrasive that is both aggressive and durable.

Grinding Wheels – For bulk stock removal, grinding and shaping, grinding wheels are the perfect choice. They leave a rough finish but remove material quickly.

Cut-off Wheels – These are designed for clean cuts through metal. You can find specialty versions for masonry, asphalt, stone and more.

Grinding Discs – These discs are aggressive yet compact. Useful for stock removal, smoothing or shaping metal in tighter spaces.

2. Surface Conditioning

Once you are done prepping, the next step is surface conditioning. To control the surface quality, you need to focus on removing sharp edges, blending marks and producing a consistent texture so you will be able to prepare for coating, painting or polishing.

Flap Wheels – Flap wheels are flexible, versatile, and excellent on curves, tubing and inside pipes. They blend and condition effectively.

Surface Conditioning Discs – These discs can remove rust, paint and corrosion while leaving base material intact. They also perform light deburring and blending to round off sharp edges and smooth transitions.

Mounted Points –They are perfect for surface conditioning since they can be used for deburring, cleaning up small imperfections and blending. Their small size is ideal for precision work in confined areas and corners.

3. Finishing

For some projects, a smoother finish is desired when it won’t be painted or otherwise coated. You will want to smooth out marks left from prepping and conditioning to create a polished surface.

Flap Discs – You can transition smoothly from blending to finishing with flap discs. The flexible flaps make them a great tool to use on curved and contoured surfaces or in hard-to-access corners.

Surface Maximizer – For a fine, mirror-like finish on many metals, the Surface Maximizer discs quickly smooth out imperfections to provide a polished surface.

Satin Finishing Wheels – When a project calls for a smooth, brushed finish, the Satin Finishing Wheels are the final step. Ideal for de-polishing or smoothing non-ferrous metals, leaving a consistent matte surface.

4. Multi-Stage Abrasives

Some abrasives are designed to help you at more than one stage of surface work. This can save you from changing tools frequently.

Flap Discs – You can grind, blend and finish in one step with flap discs.

Flap Wheels – These are designed to blend and finish simultaneously while adapting to complex shapes.

Abrasive Pads – Pads can be used during surface conditioning for tasks like removing paint and rust and cleaning surfaces. They can also be used in the finishing stage. Pads are gentle enough for delicate surfaces and fine enough for those last finishing touches like light polishing and final cleanup.

Choosing the right abrasive for each stage of surface work is the key to getting the results you want. But if you still don’t know which abrasives might work for you and your shop, just contact your Kimball Midwest sales representative. They can give you advice on surface work, suggest products and make sure you are always stocked with the right abrasives. If you don’t already have a rep, we can help you