SANDING SPONGE SHEET (100)

Sanding Sponge Sheet 100 - a sanding sponge from AMMO of Mig Jimenez

A sanding sponge is a sheet with a flexible backing carrying the abrasive. Unlike abrasive paper it adapts to the shape of the surface, so it does not cut only on the high points, which is exactly why it suits fuselages, cowlings, curved hulls and anywhere a hard backing would create a flat spot. The number in the name corresponds to the grit of the abrasive by the convention of this group of products: the lower the number, the coarser the cut.

When to reach for a sponge and when for paper

A sponge is a tool for the coarser stage and for shaped surfaces. On large flat panels, where you really need a true plane, abrasive paper on a hard backing or a sanding board is better. Coarser grits remove parting lines, the remains of gates and excess filler; for the final smoothing before painting you then move on to finer grades. Skipping the whole sequence of grits does not pay off, as deep scratches from a coarse abrasive will show up again under a gloss coat.

How to work with a sponge

• Cut the sheet into smaller pieces to suit the size of the area being worked, and it will last longer.
• Sand wet: water washes the dust away, the abrasive clogs less and no airborne plastic is created.
• Do not press; the sponge works by its own flexibility, and pressure only distorts the shape.
• Work from coarser grades to finer ones and wash and dry the area between them.
• Degrease the surface before painting, otherwise sanding dust stays in the engraved lines.

Who it is for

For every modeler whatever their field: a sanding sponge is basic bench equipment just like a knife or tweezers. It comes into its own on plastic kits, cast accessories and filling work alike.

Use respiratory protection when sanding dry. Do not inhale the sanding dust.