Cloth vs. Paper Sandpaper: Which Should You Use and When?

Januar 22, 2026 Auf Januar 16, 2026

1. Basics: What Are Cloth‑Backed and Paper‑Backed Sandpaper?

Cloth‑backed sandpaper

Uses fabric (cotton or synthetic cloth) as the backing instead of paper.
Very flexible and tear‑resistant, lasts longer than regular paper sandpaper.
Often sold as shop rolls (e.g. 100mm x 5m rolls you tear by hand).

Paper‑backed sandpaper

Uses different weights of paper as the backing.
Common formats: sheets, discs, belts for random orbital sanders etc.
Cheaper and good for large, flat surfaces, but tears and creases more easily.

2. Quick Comparison: Cloth vs. Paper

Feature	Cloth‑Backed Sandpaper	Paper‑Backed Sandpaper
Durability	High – Tear‑resistant, long‑lasting backing. Ideal for heavy use.	Mittel – Easier to tear, especially at edges or when folded.
Flexibility	Excellent – Wraps easily around curves, spindles, and complex shapes without cracking.	Limited – Stiffer backing. Tends to crack or crease when folded tightly.
Best For	Metalworking, wood turning, contour sanding, and sharp edges.	Flat surfaces (tabletops, panels), light sanding, and random orbital sanders.
Wet Sanding	Very Good – Many cloth backings are water‑resistant and durable when wet.	Requires Specific Type – Only works if it is specifically “Wet/Dry” paper.
Format	Often sold as Shop Rolls (tear to length) or belts.	Typically sold as Sheets, Discs, or Belts.
Cost	Higher upfront cost per roll, but often cheaper per job due to longer life.	Lower upfront cost per pack, but may use more sheets for the same task.
Tear by Hand	Yes – Shop rolls are designed to be torn cleanly by hand to any length.	Sometimes – Often requires scissors or a knife to cut cleanly.

In one line:

Use cloth‑backed sandpaper when you need durability, flexibility and contour sanding.
Use paper‑backed sandpaper for occasional, flat‑surface sanding.

3. When Should You Use Cloth Sandpaper?

3.1 Woodworking: Curves, Turning and Edges

Cloth‑backed sandpaper is ideal in woodworking when you:

Typical grits:

3.2 Metalworking: Deburring, Rust Removal and Prep

Metal is tough on abrasives. Cloth‑backed sandpaper is usually the better choice for:

Suggested grits:

3.3 Auto Body and Equipment Repair

In auto body work and equipment repair, you often deal with:

Cloth shop rolls let you:

4. When Is Paper Sandpaper the Better Choice?

4.1 Large, Flat Surface Sanding

For:

Paper discs or sheets are usually more economical. The backing is fully supported by the sanding pad, so cloth strength is less critical.

4.2 Light‑Duty or Occasional Use

English:
If you:

Standard paper sandpaper is fine and keeps the upfront cost low.

4.3 Between‑Coat Sanding on Flat Finishes

For between‑coat sanding on paint, primer or clear coats:

Here, paper wet/dry sheets with a sanding block can perform very well.

5. Simple Decision Guide: Cloth or Paper?

Mostly metal, curves, edges, workshop use → choose cloth‑backed sandpaper / cloth shop rolls.
Mostly flat panels and occasional projects → choose paper‑backed sandpaper.
Using power sanders for large areas → paper discs/sheets on machines.
Doing detailed hand work and small parts → cloth shop rolls you can tear to length.

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