An Abrasive Discussion

Understanding what it takes to sand, cut, and polish

By Cam Benty

There are plenty of abrasive discussions that color one’s life. For purposes of this discussion, we will stick with things that are really abrasive — as in cutting wheels, sanding, and grinding. While these may seem like simple tasks, there is a fair amount of technology going on with abrasives these days. Whether you are simply cutting through old paint, smoothing metal surfaces, or cutting through sheetmetal, there are plenty of helpful products that can make your life far easier.

The folks at 3M recently gave us a run through of their latest products, proving once again they know plenty about things that affect automotive types, and their pursuit of finish perfection.

With regards to sanding discs, 3M offers four different levels of abrasives, dependent on your requirements and depth of your pockets. From aluminum oxide all the way up to the precision shaped grain for Cubitron II, each material is the best in its class for its performance and value. Lucky for us, they are color coded for easy differentiation.

  • Red — aluminum oxide
    Comprehensive line of economical abrasives. Best in class performance. Made with aluminum oxide.
  • Yellow & Green — premium aluminum oxide
    Full line of standard and course grade abrasives that mix quality minerals and precision coating to deliver quality performance and improved life. Made with premium aluminum oxide and crushed ceramic.
  • Silver — crushed ceramic
    Synthetic material that is tougher than aluminum oxide and silicon carbide. Ceramic grains remove material faster (and more uniformly) than naturally occurring minerals.
  • Light Purple — crushed ceramic
    Synthetic material is tougher than aluminum oxide and silicone carbide. Ceramic grains remove material faster and more uniformly than naturally occurring minerals.
  • Dark Purple — precision shaped grain (Cubitron II)
    Shaped ceramics that match the toughness of synthetic products and add superior triangular shape. Triangular peaks slice through material and wear evenly for fastest removal and life.

Cubitron II innovation

While aluminum oxide and crushed ceramic abrasives do a terrific job in all cutting capacities, the focus of our experience working with Mark Oja from California Speed & Custom was with the Cubitron II abrasive, top of the line due to its new and innovative technology.

During our test, we used a wide variety of air and electric tools just to get a feel for Cubitron II materials and their abilities.

3M grinding -05 (1200x806)

This single action Sander, fitted with Cubitron II 36-grit, abrasive pad, makes quick work of the corrosion on this bar stock. As with any abrasive, regardless of the cutting action speed, keep clear of other workers or flammable materials, and wear correct personal safety gear.

With conventional ceramic abrasives, the material is glued to heavy duty, proprietary material backing paper (in case you were napping through the last five decades of paint prep, no one uses real sand for sand paper). Other than the overall grit rating, there is no order in which the materials are applied on the surface. With ceramic and aluminum oxide abrasives, there is surface heat buildup as the abrasive works. As anyone who works with abrasives knows, the abrasive eventually wears down. Time for a new disc!

Enter the Cubitron II abrasives line. The surface of this abrasive is basically a series of sharp mountains that share relatively similar pyramid-like shapes and structure. As Cubitron II is worked along the surface of the panel, the tops of these pyramids break off, creating additional sharp points that fall into the valleys and basically rejuvenate the abrasive surface. The proprietary ceramic materials used in Cubitron II cut 30 percent faster than conventional ceramics, due to the shape of the ceramic materials.

This ever-changing landscape also allows twice the amount of cutting time per abrasive. In addition, it operates cooler than standard ceramic products, reducing the surface heat and, thus, the chance of panel warpage.

As you would expect, Cubitron II is available for a wide variety of grits — from 36 to 80 for grinding, 40 to 220 discs for a Dual Action sander — allowing you to select the right one for the job, from 36 to 80 for grinding to 40 to 220 discs for a Dual Action sander. Cubitron II Cut Off Wheels are available in 3- and 4-inch diameters, while 3M Hookit File Sheets range from 40 to 220 grit. File Belt grits feature three grits: 36, 60, and 80.

Tools of the grinding trade

The right tool for the job is always a good motto for grinding, cutting, and polishing. The following list of 3M tools are built to take advantage of the abrasives outlined earlier.

Disc Sander

  • Designed to work with coated and surface conditioning discs with MOS Ratings of 18,000 rpm or greater
  •  Removable side handle furnished with tool
  • 3M Gripping Material molded into tool housing for greater operator comfort
  • Right angle steel gear head with grease fitting for increased gear life
  • Rear exhaust

File Belt Sander

  • This air-powered sander is lightweight, durable, and constructed with the operator’s comfort and efficiency in mind
  • Grind and blend from contact wheel or platen
  • Available in ½x18-inch and 3/8×13-inch belt widths
  • Both belt housing/guard and handle rotate to easily get into hard-to-reach areas and maximize user comfort
  • Operates at up to 17,000 rpm

Cut-Off Wheel Tool

  • Cut-OFF Wheel Tools can deliver fast, smooth performance (up to 25,000 rpm).
  • These 1 HP tools have the power to cut through carbon steel, stainless steel, and other materials.
  • Compact design with built-in safety features for easy handling.
  • 3M Gripping Material molded into tool housing for greater operator comfort.

Sources: 3M Collision, 3mcollision.com; California Speed & Custom, californiaspeedandcustom.com

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