Walk into most auto body shops and you’ll find 30 different types of sanding discs — half of which nobody uses — and a constant need to reorder P400 on short notice. Getting your abrasives inventory right is both a cost control problem and a production efficiency problem.
The Seven Grits You Actually Need
- P80 — Body filler shaping, bare metal prep
- P150 — Fast primer block sanding
- P220 — Fine primer leveling
- P320 — Sealer prep, spot repairs
- P400 — Inter-coat scuffing on basecoat
- P800 — Denibbing clear coat dry
- P1500 wet/dry — Wet sanding clear for blend work
Most shops use 80% of their abrasive budget on these seven while stocking 40 SKUs. Simplify your lineup and order volume on the grits you actually use.
Disc Size: 5" vs. 6"
5" dominates spot repair and detail work. 6" is preferred for panel work on hoods, doors, and roofs. If standardizing on one size: 6" for DA panel work, 5" for tight areas and detail.
Hook & Loop vs. PSA
For most collision shops, hook & loop (grip) discs are the right call. They allow grit changes in seconds and work with the full range of professional DA sanders. PSA makes sense only for very high-volume production on a fixed sequence where grit changes are not needed.
Recommended Lines for Auto Body
Mirka Abranet for your P150–P500 primer and sealer work. Disc life 3–5× conventional paper; net abrasive cost is lower despite higher per-disc price.
Mirka Gold or Indasa RhynoGrip RedLine for P80 body filler work where cost-per-disc matters most.
Mirka Coarse Cut for ceramic-grain aggressive bare metal and heavy filler shaping in 5" and 6" grip discs.
Mirka Abralon (P500–P2000) for wet sanding and blending clear coats on contoured panels.
Backup Pads and Interface Pads
Replace grip backup pads every 3–6 months in a busy shop. Use a foam interface pad on any curved surface to prevent dish marks.
Volume Pricing at UnitedFinish
We’re a professional distributor in Deer Park, NY — not a retail store. Our pricing is structured for shops that buy by the box. Volume accounts get better pricing on Mirka, Indasa, and our full product line, with next-day shipping to most of the Northeast. Contact us to set up a shop account →