jman, I can only speak of what I see our customer base using, and there are variables from shop to shop but, I see a lot of 100 Mic(150g)...to 80 Mic(180g)...to 60 Mic(220g) then Scotchbrite.

Some skip the 100 Mic and go to 80 then 60 and Scotchbrite. Others go 100 Mic then 60 Mic and Scotchbrite.

This is for Matte.

JMan, It really depends on the color of the material. The darker the color (I use SIA) you may have you go one more finer grit.  I found it is different if you use the Gem Sander or the Festool. For matte with the gem I go 180-280 then maroon, satin 320-grey. But for darker I'll go to 320-400 and grey to get satin. It all depends, Avonites polyester is different, large particulate is different. I think it is something you just learn as you go along. Some of Staron's Aspen Series would look great with only 180grit ( I don't but you know what I mean)??

KC

Yep, That's what sets me apart from all the rest  

Yes, you are original Kelsey...

Karl, We're all over the place on abrasives as obviously, it's America and people have choices. I can only speak of what people beat our doors down for. In order of volume per manufacture.

1)3M Micron...2) RHYNO(INDASA ABRASIVE)...3) MIRKA

Our sanding schedule is

 small particulate tops, 60 micron then red scotchbrite for matte, 80 micron first for edges and seams

Large particulate colors, same except use 30 micron and grey scotchbrite.

High gloss for polyesters, same to 30 micron, then Dani got us hooked on 15 micron after the 30 and it almost eliminates the buffing on some colors.

The darker particulates will be brighter when you use the 30 micron.

15 Micron in what size & backing Al?

Wanna rock? How bout 9 MICRON.

Here's the bottom line Dani, we deal with customers doing from 1 top per week to 50 tops per week. They rock-n-roll the tops out the door. The 1 or 2 tops per week customer have time to micro-manage their sanding process. The big boys just pump it out the door.

Uh, 3m pads, Dave, festool  pad, what ever they sent with the darned thing.

You got 9 micron?  Send me one so I can try it out, that might eliminate polishing entirely.  I've got your catalog by my easy chair at home, in the stack of stuff I've been meaning to read, so I'll place an order soon for some granite fabricating items.

Thanks for the cool cooler by the way!

Dave, Let me clarify my post. I got to SIA because of wood sanding. There is no doubt in my mind, it will out sand and present a superior finish on wood. When I see some sanding on some high end custom jobs I just shake my head and wonder if they have ever had an eye checkup. The SIA Blue, is a bit higher, and in comparison to your products, probably are overpriced when comparing apples to apples. One brand you carry, the grit seems to be a little different than what I am accustomed to using, but with any brand, it is all about learning what it takes to acheive the desired result.  So with that said, It's not that I am really looking at switching brands, but when I read about coolers and flying monkeys... it makes one start scratching their heads! 

Happy Holidays Dave, Thanks for all the laughs!!  KC

Whoops....yours are coming Kelsey.

Look, I DO NOT discount anyones sanding methods or choice of brand. If it works for you and your're achieving the finish desired,and most importantly, making money then keep on keepin on. I only suggest what I see working for the majority. That does not make the minoritys methods wrong. Like I've stated in the past, 2 shops across the street from each other probably have 2 differant sanding methods. I've seen it countless times. I also see shop A hire a guy away from shop B and the guy has no clue as to their sanding methods and wants to bring his way to that shop. That usually muddies up the waters real good.

Look at this months issue of Surface Fabrication Magazine. The company that won Best Overall Design? One of our local customers. Not a day went by that ol Gene the fabricator was not in our shop discussing methods for this and methods for that as it relates to that project. He built it, we just made suggestions on achieving the desired finish above and beyond what he would normally do. He took #1.

Darn, I missed that last part about Dani "not selling sandpaper to make a living". No Dani, you sell PVC sprinkler parts formed in to clamps that I've NEVER seen in ANY shop I've been in. Although, in your little contest about a free dollar 99 you state something to the effect of "for those of you not using them and they are few" LOL LOL

Can I enter the contest as my "creative way" of using them would be for earrings!

This site AINT ISSFA !

Dave said:

“…you would realise that 100 micron (150g) is an absolute must as a 1st step.”

Dave, would you agree that the folks at DuPont, the inventors and original patent holders on solid surface, may have a clue as to what is and/or isn’t a good sanding procedure? Their preferences seem to align with Dani’s more than yours. Hey, don’t believe me, read

‘em yourself:

http://www.corian.com/corian/docume...corian.pdf

“Quite frankly, I don't care how many seminars you've taught.”

You may not care but I and many others do. Dani was at the first solid surface show and has probably been to every one since. He has graciously shared his knowledge with all who have asked, in a booth, class, seminar or bulletin board and continues to do so. His only compensation for these efforts has been the gratitude of fabricators like me. We are collective in our debt. You seem like a nice enough guy Dave, but you appear to be a relative newcomer to us, despite your twenty two years in the business.

“May I suggest that as a onesy, twosy top fabricator, you have no idea what it takes for a large fabrication shop to ramp up for a 200 top order.”

Dave, may I suggest you read the other posts before you type:

Dani posted:

“I received 17 sheets of Hi-Macs, no Hi-Macs is not made in Michigan, for a job the end of this November and the factory finish was fantastic.”

A 17 sheet job does not a “onesy, twosy” fabricator make. If anyone knows how to crank ‘em out the door efficiently, it’s Dani Homrich. er talkin’ through yer hat, Dave.

“No Dani, you sell PVC sprinkler parts formed in to clamps that I've NEVER seen in ANY shop I've been in.”

Again, I suggest you read the other posts before you type and get out more. I just read another positive testimonial about Dani’s polishing system on the fabnet which I couldn’t find again. I use his clamps and here’s another guy that does:

http://www.thefabricatornetwork.com...fault.aspx

I’d post more examples, but I wouldn’t want to make this a fifty page thread.

Dani has invented a cove sanding pad that works terrific, I think the patent is pending. Of course he holds the patent for the popular and revolutionary Dani Clamps. How many patents do you own, Dave?

I thought so,

Joe

Dave,

   You have never been in my shop, even my old one, yes the office but not the shop.  My guys were reluctant to use the Dani Clamps, but after a couple times realized that alot of th things we can clamp with them you just cant do with other clamps.  We dont use them on everything, but for coves and sinks they cant be beat.  My guys find more things to use them on every day. 

   As far as sanding and finishing goes, we are going to be one of the big guys in SW Florida soon, but I am familiar with both small operations and large.  For the large guys in our area, most of there finishing sucks, period.  We just got a very large contractor away from one the big "C" fabricators in our area becuase of his finishing and service record.  The contractors other fabricator could not handle darker colors which is what alot of his customers were leaning to.  We repaired a job with a crack and refinished the entire job properly as a free sample two weeks ago, now we do all his work.  While it was just a matte finish for a dark color it looked much better than those made by  the other company.  Much of what I learned about finishing came from Dani either directly or from someone that learned from him years ago, and will put my work up against any body's.  These big shops are good with glacier white but give them blackberry ice or nocturne and they shut down.

Have a Merry Christmas every one,

John Cristina