PSA: I was using the wrong grit sequence on filler for years until a job in Tacoma

I was doing a repair on a 2018 F-150 bed side and the filler kept showing scratches after paint. The painter, this old guy named Ray, came over and asked if I went straight from 80 to 180 grit. I said yeah, like always. He told me to add a 120 step in between, said it cuts the deep scratches from the 80 without leaving its own marks for the 180 to chase. Tried it on the next panel and the difference was night and day. How many of you stick to a strict grit progression versus jumping around?

4 comments

4 Comments

carter.mila2mo agoMost Upvoted

My husband still laughs about the time I tried to sand a table and went from 60 grit straight to 220.

elliot_roberts2mo ago

Doesn't that skip straight to the frustrating middle of every DIY project?

mileslane10d ago

Is skipping those middle grits really that big a deal? End result is still smooth if you take your time with the final sanding. Seems like one of those things that only matters to woodworking purists.

brooket432mo agoTop Commenter

Elliot_roberts gets it, that's the exact moment you learn patience the hard way.