Collection: Sanding Sponge

A sanding sponge carries the grain on a soft foam. It conforms to round shapes, mouldings and fillets where a sheet on a block would leave flats, and it bends into a corner without tearing.

The 2 references in the catalogue

• 3M 2601, soft sanding sponge.
• 7983 siasponge flex, flexible sanding sponge.

See also our abrasive sponges, our abrasive sheets and our sanding blocks.

Sponge or block, the question is not comfort

A sheet on a rigid block flattens: it attacks the high points first and therefore corrects a flatness defect. It is the levelling tool.

A sponge follows the relief instead of correcting it. It is therefore excellent for evenly scuffing a surface that is already in shape, and poor for removing a bump, which it will go round while making it more visible.

The question to ask before choosing: do you want to change the shape, or only the surface finish?

Wet sanding

Most sponges accept wet work. Water carries away the particles before they stick between the grains, which removes clogging, and it lubricates the cut, which gives a much more even surface for the same grit.

Two precautions. Rinse regularly, otherwise the abrasive slurry stays in place and scratches. And check that the substrate tolerates it: on unprotected wood or uncured filler, water does more harm than sanding does good.

A sponge can be regenerated

Unlike a sheet, a loaded sponge can be rinsed and reused several times. It is its main economic advantage, and the reason why a sponge that is more expensive per unit often costs less per area sanded.