3M Flexible Polishing Papers vs Micro-Mesh Soft Touch Finishing Pads

[azfryguy]

I cannot decide which one to get. Maybe you guys can help me out. I will be buying one or the other and maybe later down the road when I have money both! Lets go to the tale of the tape!

Flexible Polishing Paper Micro-Mesh Finishing Pads

Cost $11.90 $10.39

Varity 6 9

Amount 9" x 11" 2" x 2" (two sides)

Wet or dry Yes Yes

Pros Flexable Squeezes out water

One of the only things I can find that people do not like about the Flexible Polishing Paper is that it needs a color coding system. Well, that is not a big deal if you pay attention to what you are doing. On the Micro-Mesh Finishing Pads reviews say that if you use mineral spirits instead of water it lifts the sandpaper from the pads. That is ok because I do not plan on doing that anyways. So what do you suggest getting?

 

[Blind Dog]

I am not familiar with the 3m polishing paper but I have been using a set of micromesh for quite a few years with no problems.

 

[joeyl]

try to find abralon pads, they are used for bowling balls, and they are flexible, the pads hold a lot of water, and they make a consistent scratch pattern, I like them better than micromesh actually. You can get a six grit pack from ebay for like 15-16 bucks, and they last a verrrryyyy loooong time

 

[azfryguy]

Why do you like them better other than the scratch pattern reason?

 

[gfried84]

I get better results with micro mesh for polishing bone and frets. I like the 3m flexible polish papers for finish touch up.

 

[SDB Guitars]

I like the Micro-Mesh products, but not the "pads". I get the sheets (3' x 6") and also the hook-and-look backed discs for my random orbit sander. I have actually polished wenge up to a mirror-like finish with just the sanding discs (dry).

These work well wet or dry, and can be found many places. I get both the sheets and the 5" sanding discs from Woodcraft.

 

[LedBelli Bass]

I recently discovered Abralon discs. They have now found their way into my finishing schedule on a permanent basis. They are outstanding . . .

 

[Rip Topaz]

I like the Micro-Mesh products, but not the "pads". I get the sheets (3' x 6") and also the hook-and-look backed discs for my random orbit sander. I have actually polished wenge up to a mirror-like finish with just the sanding discs (dry).

These work well wet or dry, and can be found many places. I get both the sheets and the 5" sanding discs from Woodcraft.

I didn't know these discs existed. Guess I'll be placing a Woodcraft order this week. I love my micro-mesh.

 

[SDB Guitars]

I recently discovered Abralon discs. They have now found their way into my finishing schedule on a permanent basis. They are outstanding . . .

At woodcraft, they also have Abranet sanding discs (hook and loop mesh discs made by the same people who make Abralon). I love these things. They run from 80 grit to 600 grit.

I sand all my bodies and necks with the set of the Abranet prior to finishing, and if the wood requires no finish (wenge, bloodwood, etc.), I move from there straight into the Micro-Mesh discs.