Coffee With The Techies

Coffee With The Techies

But before we start…

Session 4 – Abrasives

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Let’s discuss….

…what do you know about Abrasives?

….and is there anything you want to know at the end of this session?

There are lots of Abrasives in bodyshops

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But, let’s go over some more terminology

Brief history: Abrasive Coarseness (grits)

• FEPA = the only Federation in the abrasive world

• Formed in 1955

• Continuously develop & review EN and ISO standards

related to abrasives

• Masterminds behind grading systems

- This grading system is used for abrasive grains designed

for use in coated abrasives, such as sandpaper and

abrasive cloth.

- The FEPA P system also uses grit sizes based on the

average diameter of the abrasive grains.

Now, the fun part....

Let's look deeper into these products

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

DA Discs

The What • ‘Dual Action’ orbital sanding discs

• Range of disc diameter sizes: 76mm, 125mm, 150mm

• Dust extraction options: holes or nets

• Huge range of ‘P’ (P40 up to P8000) & none ‘P’ grades

• Most common: P80, P180, P320, P500, P800, P1200, P1500, P3000

The How & Why • To be used on a DA Sander

• For the removal and preparation of substrates

Strips

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

The What • Designed for flat sanding

• Range of sizes: 70X125, 70X198, 70X420 115X230 etc.

• Sometimes supplied in a continuous roll

• Dust extraction options: holes or nets

• Range of ‘P’ (P40 up to P400) and none ‘P’ grades

• Most common: P80, P180, P320

The How & Why • To be used on a flatbed sanding block

• Mainly used to sand bodyfiller & primer

Belts

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

The What • Abrasive attached to a nylon cloth belt

• No dust extraction

• Range of sizes 10mm, 20mm etc

• Range of ‘P’ (P40 up to P80) and none ‘P’ grades

• Most common: P60, P80

The How & Why • Mainly used to prepare area before and after welding

• This action is similar to a manual file

• Used in hard-to-reach areas

• Used on a belt sanding tool

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

Fibre Grinding Discs

The What • A disc for sanding and grinding applications

• No dust extraction

• Range of sizes 50mm, 115mm etc

• Range of ‘P’ (P36 up to P80) and none ‘P’ grades

• Most common: P36, P80

The How & Why • Perfect for flatting welds on both flat &contoured

surfaces

• Quick change option for fast & easy disc changing

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

Cutting Discs

The What • Disc or ‘wheel’ for cutting through metal

• Cut-off Wheels are made of abrasive grain bonded

with an organic bond system

• Not ‘P’ graded

• Range of size diameter & disc thickness

• Most common: 75mmX1mm, 125mmX2mm

The How & Why • For cutting metal & removing panels

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

Surface Preparation Discs

The What • For fast sanding and prep of tight & restricted areas

• Strong nylon fibre weave impregnated with abrasive

• Often referred to as ‘ROLOC’ (3M trade name)

• Not ‘P’ graded

• Most common: 50mm, Medium coarseness (red)

The How & Why • For removing coatings & preparing the surface

• Alternative to a grinding disc (less substrate damage)

• Quick change option for fast & easy disc changing

Non Woven Pads

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

The What • Flexible, 3-dimensional fibre sanding material

impregnated with abrasive

• Often referred to as ‘Scotch - Brite’ (3M trade name)

• Different size options: box, pre-cut, roll etc

• Not ‘P’ graded

• Usually colour coded, copper, grey, purple, red etc

• Most common: Red (very fine), Grey (ultra fine)

The How & Why • Used to abrade hard to reach areas

• Good sanding and durability, used wet or dry

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

Clean & Strip

The What

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The How & Why

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Ancillaries, Tools, Products

Soft Hand Pads

The What • Foam backed pads with various abrasives on 1 side

• Usually in Perforated Foam Roll

• No dust extraction

• Range of ‘P’ and none ‘P’ grades

• Typically, from P180 up to P1000

• Most common: P500, P800

The How & Why • Used for sanding in hard-to-reach areas when

machine sanding is not possible

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

Wet & Dry

The What • Waterproof abrasive latex backed paper

• Original method of sanding

• No dust extraction, hence used wet

• Different size options and usually packed in a sleeve

• Range of ‘P’ (P80 up to P2000) and fine/superfine

• Most common: P800, P1200, P1500

The How & Why • Mostly used wet for sanding substrates

Ancillaries, Tools, Products

Polishing Abrasives

The What • Fine abrasive on DA Discs or waterproof wet & dry

• Different size options, 76mm to 150mm etc

• Dust extraction options on certain products

• Range of ‘P’ (P1000 up to P8000)

• Most common: P1200, P1500, P3000

• Unique products: 3M Trizact & Mirka Abralon

The How & Why • Use for removing imperfections

• Produces ultra fine scratch pattern

What Abrasive vs What Area

Product

Panel Line

Prep Line

Paint Line

Polishing/Line

DA Discs

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Strips

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Belts

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Grinding Discs

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Cutting Discs

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Surface Preparation Discs

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Clean & Strip

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Non-Woven Pads

Soft Hand Pads

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Wet & Dry

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Polishing Discs

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What Grit vs What Area ‘P’ Panel Area

Prep Area

Paint Area

Polishing Area

Core Lists / Common

40

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80

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120

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180

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240

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320

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400

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500

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600

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800

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1000

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1200

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1500

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2000

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3000

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6000

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What Ancillaries & Tools vs What Abrasive

Dust Extraction Block

Angle Grinder

Pistol Sander

Rubber Block

Rubber Micro Block

Product

D A Sander

Belt Sander

Die Grinder

Hand Manual

DA Discs

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Strips

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Belts

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Grinding Discs

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Cutting Discs

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Surface Prep Discs

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Clean & Strip

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Non-Woven Pads

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Soft Hand Pads

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Wet & Dry

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Polishing Discs

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Our customers are faced with many choices when it comes to abrasives.

What is the biggest challenge you get when talking about abrasives?

Is it… Price? Range? Quality? Choice? Job? Brand? Etc?

Let's zoom in on quality….

Premium Range

Vs

Value Range

Premium

Value

• Designed for longevity

• Limited life span

• Greater choice of grades

• Limited grade choices

• More holes for dust extraction

• Generally, has less holes for dust extraction

• Premium Stearate

• Standard stearate

Plus….

• Faster removal rates

• Latest technology abrasives

• Can be multi-holed or Net

• Process benefits

BUT they come at a cost (££ or €€) !

Don’t forget…..

The door is open all day for any questions you have…