The sanding sponge is the hand woodworker's hidden gold. When you work with curved shapes, profiled edges, mouldings or corners, the sanding sponge is often the only tool that actually reaches. It conforms to the surface, gives even pressure, and tolerates both dry and wet sanding. This guide walks through the entire sanding sponge range at Ernst P — our 5 own dual grit sponges and the Festool Granat series — and helps you pick the right grit for the job.
What is a sanding sponge?
A sanding sponge is a block of foam with abrasive grit bonded to several sides [1][2]. The foam body makes the sponge flexible — it conforms to uneven and curved surfaces where a flat sheet of sandpaper cannot reach. Because you hold the whole block rather than folding the paper, you also get more even pressure across the whole sanding surface.
The size is typically 95-100 × 65-130 × 12-25 mm — perfect to hold in the hand.
Sanding sponge vs sandpaper — when should you choose what?
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Large flat surfaces | Sandpaper on a random orbital sander (NET GIANT) |
| Rounded edges and profiles | Sanding sponge |
| Tight spaces, corners | Sanding sponge |
| Mouldings and decorative profiles | Sanding sponge |
| Between coats of lacquer on a flat surface | Sandpaper P320–P400 |
| Between oil coats | Fine/Fine sanding sponge |
| Finishing oiled wood | Fine/Fine sanding sponge |
| Fast coarse sanding of rough timber | Sandpaper P60–P80 |
The sanding sponge is not a replacement for sandpaper — it is a complement. Both are needed in a complete workshop.
Ernst P's own sanding sponges — dual grit, genuinely excellent
We have developed five sanding sponges with different grits on different sides (dual grit) so you cover the entire grit range with few tools. These are our top-recommended sanding sponges — we have spent years selecting material and grit to find the optimal combination for British and Nordic woodworking:
Coarse/Coarse — for rough timber and stripping
Both sides with coarse grit (equivalent to P60-P80). Use for:
- Stripping old paint
- The first sanding of rough-sawn timber
- Rounding over sharp edges
Coarse/Medium — the go-to tool for furniture restoration
Coarse grit (P60-P80) on one side, medium (P120-P150) on the other. Ideal for:
- Furniture restoration where you switch between coarse adjustment and preparation for finish
- Sanding off old lacquer and going straight into intermediate sanding without changing sponge
Medium/Medium — the most used in the home workshop
Both sides medium (P120-P150). The most common size for:
- Preparation of joinery projects before finishing
- Hand sanding of a plank you have already coarse-sanded
- Sanding of new furniture components
Medium/Fine — the combination we recommend for beginners
Medium (P120-P150) on one side, fine (P180-P220) on the other. Our best-selling dual grit sponge for:
- Complete furniture builds from sand-level to sand-to-finish
- This sponge covers 80% of all hobby sanding
- The perfect starting point if you only buy one sanding sponge
Fine/Fine — for finishing and intermediate sanding
Both sides fine grit (P180-P240). Use for:
- Sanding before oil or lacquer
- Intermediate sanding between coats of lacquer
- Finishing oiled surfaces that are starting to feel uneven
Festool Granat sanding sponges — the option for Festool system users
Festool's Granat series is built for professional use and is a good option if you already run the Festool system. Technically, our own dual grit sanding sponges are fully on a par for British and Nordic timbers — Festool Granat is not automatically better, it is simply a different choice based on system preference.
| Model | Grit | Size | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Festool Sanding Sponge Granat 60 | P60 | 98×120×13 mm | Coarse stripping, old lacquer/paint |
| Festool Sanding Sponge Granat 120 | P120 | 98×120×13 mm | Intermediate sanding, preparation |
| Festool Sanding Sponge Granat 220 | P220 | 98×120×13 mm | Fine sanding before oil or lacquer |
| Festool Sanding Sponge Granat 800 | P800 | 98×120×13 mm | Intermediate sanding of lacquer, polish preparation |
Granat characteristics:
- Antistatic construction (fits Festool CT dust extractors)
- Festool-developed abrasive (Granat)
- Tolerates both dry and wet sanding
When to choose Granat: you already have a Festool system with a CT dust extractor and want 100% system compatibility. For everyone else: our own dual grit sanding sponges are at least as good for British and Nordic woodworking, at a better price.
Technique — how to use a sanding sponge properly
1. Sand in the direction of the grain
As with all sandpaper: sand in the direction of the wood grain on the final grits (Medium and finer). On coarse grits you can work diagonally or in circular motions for faster stock removal, but switch to grain direction for the final sanding.
2. Use the whole face
The sanding sponge's advantage is that it conforms to the surface. Use the whole sanding face — not just the corner or edge. This gives more even wear and extends the sponge's life.
3. Apply even pressure
Place the pressure from your hand flat on top of the sponge. Do not press with the fingers — that sands in an uneven pattern.
4. Rinsable — use it
When the sponge becomes clogged with wood fibres or sanding dust: rinse it in water, squeeze out, let it dry. It is as good as new. This is the sanding sponge's biggest hidden feature — sandpaper has to be thrown away, the sanding sponge lives on.
5. Rotate in sequence
Sanding sponges are dual grit for a reason: after sanding with the Coarse side, flip it over and carry on with the Medium side without changing tool. Saves time and breath.
Complete grit progression with a sanding sponge
For a finishing project (furniture surface to be oiled):
- Coarse/Medium sanding sponge — coarse side first (equivalent to P80), then flip to medium (P120)
- Medium/Fine sanding sponge — medium side (P150), then fine (P180)
- Fine/Fine sanding sponge — final finish (P220)
- Oil is applied
For a piece of furniture to be lacquered:
- Coarse/Medium sanding sponge — coarse + medium
- Medium/Fine sanding sponge — medium + fine (P180)
- Apply first coat of lacquer
- Fine/Fine sanding sponge or Festool Granat 220 — intermediate sanding before the next lacquer coat
- Apply second coat of lacquer
- (Festool Granat 800 if you want a really deep polished finish)
Sanding pads — the other name
In Ernst P's catalogue, sanding pads is a broader term that covers:
- Sanding sponges (foam blocks with abrasive grit)
- Sanding dampers (flat rubber blocks with an abrasive face)
- Sanding blocks (hard plastic/wood blocks onto which you attach sandpaper)
The sanding sponge is the most common type for hand sanding of wood. Sanding dampers are used more in car bodywork. Sanding blocks are the right choice when you want maximum flatness under the sandpaper (for example flat surfaces that have to be extremely even).
Common mistakes
Mistake 1: Skipping the right grit
As with sandpaper — do not skip more than one grit step. Coarse → Fine straight away leaves P60 scratches under the finish.
Fix: Use dual grit sponges in sequence. Coarse/Medium → Medium/Fine → Fine/Fine covers everything.
Mistake 2: Sanding with dry dust
When the sponge is full of dust you are sanding on the dust, not on the grit. Result: uneven sanding + streaks.
Fix: Rinse in water every 5-10 minutes during intensive work.
Mistake 3: Pressing too hard
Counter-pressure on a soft foam block = uneven sanding. The sponge's advantage is that it conforms — let the weight do the job.
Fix: Light-to-medium pressure. If the material is not being removed — switch to a coarser grit instead of pressing harder.
Mistake 4: Using the same sponge for different materials
Sponges that have been used on lacquer/paint often become clogged. If you then sand clean wood it causes discolouration.
Fix: Keep separate sponges for "clean wood sanding" and "lacquer/paint stripping". Mark them.
Mistake 5: Pressing the sponge into corners
The sponge is capable of sanding into corners — but if you press it in to a 90° corner you fold it and the grit wears unevenly.
Fix: Use a hard sanding block or angle sander in corners with a really sharp 90°. The sanding sponge is for rounded edges and deviations within 5-10°.
Starter kit for the home workshop
For complete coverage of hand sanding across the whole grit range:
- 1 × Coarse/Medium sanding sponge (for coarse adjustment and furniture restoration)
- 1 × Medium/Fine sanding sponge (most used — daily hobby use)
- 1 × Fine/Fine sanding sponge (final finish before oil)
About 150-200 SEK in total. Enough for 6-12 months of hobby use. If you want to top up with a Festool Granat 220 or 800 for specialist projects — that works too, but our own go a long way for 95% of all woodworking.
Related
- Sandpaper grits in the right order — complete guide — for sanding on a random orbital sander with Net Giant sanding mesh
- Oiling a worktop — how often? — sand correctly before oiling
- See the full sanding sponge and sanding pad range
Sources
Last updated 2026-04-18.
- Family Handyman — What Is Sandpaper Grit? Industry standard for grit scales and how they are interpreted. familyhandyman.com/article/sandpaper-grit-chart
- Lakgruppen — Sanding sponges for hand sanding. Swedish category overview with construction explanation. lakgruppen.se/slipmaterial/handslipning/slipsvampar
- Festool — Granat abrasive (official product information). Granat construction and durability. festool.se
- Klingspor — Hand sanding. German abrasive technology specialist with hand sanding techniques. klingspor.se/slipkunskap/handslipning
- 2 Bröderna — Choosing the right sandpaper and abrasive. Practical guide for Swedish joiners. broderna.se/blogs/nyheter-3/valja-ratt-slippapper-och-slipmaterial
- Rubio Monocoat — How to sand wood the right way. Oil manufacturer — sanding recommendations for different finishes. rubiomonocoat.se/blog/post
Vanliga frågor
What is the difference between a sanding sponge and sandpaper?
A sanding sponge is a block of foam with abrasive grit on several sides. Sandpaper is a thin paper or mesh with grit on one side. The sanding sponge is soft and conforms to curved surfaces and edges where sandpaper does not work as well. A sanding sponge also gives more even pressure because you hold the whole block rather than folding the paper.
Which sanding sponge should I start with?
For beginners in hand sanding of wood: start with a Medium/Fine sanding sponge (medium on one side, fine on the other). It covers both coarse adjustment and final finishing for most hobby projects. For heavier coarse sanding of rough timber: a Coarse/Coarse sanding sponge. For fine sanding before oiling or between coats of lacquer: a Fine/Fine sanding sponge.
Can a sanding sponge be used wet?
Yes — sanding sponges are designed to be used both dry and wet. Wet sanding is mainly used on lacquered surfaces and car bodywork where dust generation needs to be minimised and scratches avoided. For wood, the sanding sponge is usually used dry.
How long does a sanding sponge last?
A good-quality sanding sponge (Ernst P's own or Festool Granat) typically lasts 5-10 m² of sanded wood per side on medium-coarse work, and more on fine sanding. Rinse in water when it becomes clogged. When the grit is worn or the sponge loses its shape — replace it.
What does dual grit sanding sponge mean?
Dual grit means the sponge has different grit sizes on different sides — for example Coarse on one side and Medium on the other. You switch easily between coarse sanding and intermediate sanding without changing tool. Ernst P's sanding sponges come in 5 dual grit combinations: Coarse/Coarse, Coarse/Medium, Medium/Medium, Medium/Fine, Fine/Fine.
When is a sanding sponge better than a random orbital sander?
A sanding sponge is better on curved shapes, profiled edges, mouldings, narrow gaps and places where the random orbital sanders cannot reach. For large flat surfaces, a random orbital sander with Net Giant sanding mesh is faster and more efficient. They complement each other in a professional workshop.
