wet/dry sanding question

[sneather]

Is there any real advantage in using oil over water, with wet dry abrasive paper? Obviously, the oil will provide some slickness, but will also me more messy and potentially make the part I'm working with harder to grasp. Should water be sufficient to help keep a good, consistent abrasion going?

Thanks.

[spareparts]

Alot of great blade makers over on bladeforums prefer Windex for wet sanding. Don't know if that would also apply to gunsmithing but thought I'd throw it out there.

[chillincody]

I use water with a lil bit of dawn dish soap ive only done this on my friends bumber but it worked fine I would not use just water IMO but im not 100%

[chiz]

You can use soapy water also.

[sneather]

Thanks so much for the quick ideas. This is, not surprisingly, for small firearm parts. But the soapy water idea makes a hell of a lot of sense. The soap will increase the ability of the water to help remove the micro particles from the abrasive paper and parts.

The windex idea is intriguing. I wonder what the story is there?

[gunnerstuff]

Yup, same here. For wet sanding, I use water with a drop of soap or other surfactant (usually just plain Dawn). It help keep the sandpaper clean and carries the particles away.

[spareparts]

Thanks so much for the quick ideas. This is, not surprisingly, for small firearm parts. But the soapy water idea makes a hell of a lot of sense. The soap will increase the ability of the water to help remove the micro particles from the abrasive paper and parts.

The windex idea is intriguing. I wonder what the story is there?

From what I gather the Windex acts as a good light lube and helps prevent rusting. Also suggested by bladesmiths were a little baking soda and water will lube good and not rust the steel while wet sanding.

[sneather]

From what I gather the Windex acts as a good light lube and helps prevent rusting. Also suggested by bladesmiths were a little baking soda and water will lube good and not rust the steel while wet sanding.

Very cool info. Thanks. Blade-smithing is such an old art. Probably well worth stealing some of their tricks and techniques.

[chibitodd]

Oil might eat the glue in the sand paper. Emery cloth will stand up better in oil

[Richard Erichsen]

Is there any real advantage in using oil over water, with wet dry abrasive paper? Obviously, the oil will provide some slickness, but will also me more messy and potentially make the part I'm working with harder to grasp. Should water be sufficient to help keep a good, consistent abrasion going?

Thanks.

The less costly types will tend to fall apart, unbind the abrasives with oils, but remain pliable and relatively intact with water. You could also use a slightly lower cut sandpaper if you are at or near a final sanding grit. If you used a tung or linseed oil wood finish, it will be fine if you use water.

R