Abrasives · 1 min read
How to store sandpaper properly
Moisture and heat make sandpaper curl and age the bond. Keep it dry, flat and in its packaging – and here’s why curled paper sands worse.
Last updated:
Dry and not too warm
Paper absorbs moisture from the air and releases it again – and as it does, it curls, so discs no longer sit flat on the backing pad. Store it at room temperature and normal humidity: not in a damp cellar, not next to the radiator and not in the van in summer.
Flat and in its packaging
Keep discs and sheets lying flat in their original packaging, weighted down or in a drawer. Close opened packs again. Store rolls upright so they don’t get pressure marks.
Film-backed abrasives and abrasive mesh are less sensitive than paper, but they should be kept just as dry.
Rescuing curled paper
Leave slightly curled sheets flat under a weight in a dry room for a day. Throw out badly curled or brittle discs: they don’t sit flat, sand unevenly and are more likely to come off the hook-and-loop.
FAQ
Does sandpaper go off over time?
Stored cool and dry, it lasts for many years. Moisture and heat age the bond and the hook-and-loop – the grit then comes off sooner or the disc doesn’t hold as well.
How should I keep opened discs in the workshop?
Sorted by grit, flat in the closed pack or in one compartment per grit. That way nobody grabs a coarser disc by mistake.
