Sandpaper Medium Grit

Sandpaper Medium Grit

Medium grit sandpaper — 80, 100, and 120 — is the workhorse sandpaper grit range for most shops: coarse enough to level glue lines and mill marks, fine enough to leave a surface ready for a finer finishing pass. We carry Klingspor's medium grit lineup across multiple backings, coatings, and hole patterns, so you can match the right disc to your sander instead of guessing at compatibility.

What Medium Grit Sandpaper Is For

Sandpaper grit runs from coarse (24–60) for aggressive stock removal, through medium (80–120) for leveling and intermediate smoothing, up to fine and ultra-fine (150+) for pre-finish and between-coat work. Medium grit is where most sanding sequences spend the bulk of their time — it's aggressive enough to flatten a glued-up panel, knock down mill marks, or level a rough surface, but controlled enough that it doesn't tear up the wood the way a coarse grit would. Almost every sanding job that starts with a coarse grit moves to a medium grit next, and most jobs that don't need heavy stock removal can start right here.

The Three Grits in This Range

• 80 grit: the coarsest of the medium range — still aggressive enough to remove light mill marks, level a slightly uneven glue-up, or knock down a rough edge before moving to a finer grit.
• 100 grit: the middle ground — a common second-pass grit that smooths out 80-grit scratch patterns while still cutting fast enough for general shop sanding.
• 120 grit: the finest of the medium range — often the last grit before a finish-prep sequence moves into 150 and above, and a common stopping point for surfaces headed straight to paint or primer.

Backings, Coatings, and Formats We Carry

Our Klingspor medium grit selection spans several product lines, so you can match abrasive type to material and machine: PS33 stearated aluminum oxide on a C-weight paper backing for general wood sanding with reduced clogging; FP77 GreenTec on a waterproof film backing with anti-loading T-ACT coating, built for random-orbit sanders and finer control; PS11 silicon carbide for wet/dry sanding on finishes, primer, and non-wood surfaces; and PS61 ceramic discs for faster, longer-lasting cuts on tougher material. Discs are available from 4" up to 12" in diameter, with no-hole, single-hole, and multi-hole dust extraction patterns — including Festool-compatible layouts — so you can find a match for your specific sander rather than settling for a close-enough fit.

Choosing the Right Sandpaper Grit for the Job

If you're not sure where to start, work backward from the surface in front of you. A rough, uneven surface coming off the saw or a glue-up usually starts at a coarser grit before stepping into this medium range. A surface that's already reasonably flat — or one you're prepping for paint, primer, or stain — can often start right at 80 or 100 grit. From there, move up one step at a time (80 to 100 to 120) rather than skipping grits, since each step is meant to remove the scratch pattern left by the one before it. Skipping from 80 straight to 220, for example, leaves the coarser scratches showing through the finish.

Why Shop Sandpaper Medium Grit With Us

We carry Klingspor's medium grit sandpaper across every backing, coating, and hole pattern they offer, so you can order exactly the disc your sander and material call for instead of piecing together a match from a limited selection. Every listing on this page reflects the manufacturer's actual specifications, and we're happy to help you confirm hole pattern and diameter compatibility with your sander before you order.

FAQ

What grit range counts as medium grit sandpaper?

Medium grit typically covers 80 through 120 — coarser than fine finishing grits (150 and up) but less aggressive than coarse grits (24–60) used for heavy stock removal. It's the range most general sanding sequences spend the most time in.

Should I use 80, 100, or 120 grit first?

It depends on the surface. A rough or uneven surface benefits from starting at 80 grit, while a surface that's already fairly flat can often start at 100 or 120. As a rule, work up through the grits in order rather than jumping straight to the finest one.

What's the difference between paper-backed and film-backed sandpaper discs?

Paper-backed discs, like our PS33 line, are a durable, general-purpose choice for wood sanding. Film-backed discs, like FP77 GreenTec, use a waterproof backing and an anti-loading coating that resists clogging, which makes them a strong choice for finer control on random-orbit sanders.

How do I know which hole pattern I need?

Match the hole pattern to your sander's dust extraction ports — a no-hole disc works on any sander but skips dust extraction, while multi-hole and Festool-compatible patterns line up with specific port layouts. Check your sander's manual or the pad's hole pattern before ordering if you're unsure.