Hardwood Floor Sanding & Abrasives:
Grits, Sequences & Best Products
We stock Norton abrasives and supply Michigan contractors every day. Here's the professional guide to sanding hardwood floors — including the mistake that ruins more refinishing jobs than any other.
Grit Sequence Guide
Pass 1: Aggressive stock removal
Use for: Removing thick old finish, leveling uneven boards, first pass on very rough floors
Use only when necessary — leaves deep scratches that require multiple passes to remove
Pass 2: Standard first pass
Use for: Removing standard finish, first pass on most refinishing jobs
Most common starting grit for Michigan residential refinishing
Pass 3: Second pass — removes coarse scratches
Use for: Required between 40 and 80 grit — never skip this step
The most commonly skipped grit — and the most common cause of visible scratches under finish
Pass 4: Third pass — smooths surface
Use for: Removes 60-grit scratches, prepares surface for final pass
Floor should feel smooth after this pass
Pass 5: Final pass — finish-ready surface
Use for: Final sanding before stain or finish application
Do not go finer than 100 for oil-modified finishes — too smooth reduces adhesion
Pass 6: Screening between finish coats
Use for: Light abrasion between finish coats to improve adhesion
Use a screen, not sandpaper, for between-coat abrasion
Why We Recommend Norton Abrasives
Norton is the professional standard for hardwood floor sanding in Michigan. We've stocked Norton abrasives for 40 years because they perform consistently in Michigan's variable humidity conditions — where cheaper abrasives load up and stop cutting effectively.
Norton Red Heat
Open-coat aluminum oxide. Cuts fast, resists loading. Our top seller for first-pass sanding.
Norton Blue-Bak
Zirconia alumina. Aggressive and long-lasting for edge work.
Norton Screen
Silicon carbide screen. Standard for screening between finish coats.
Norton Abrasives in Stock
All grits, all formats — drum belts, edge discs, and screens. In stock at our Rochester Hills showroom for same-day pickup.