WHICH MIRKA ABRASIVE SHOULD YOU USE?

It can be difficult to decide which abrasive you should use, especially when Mirka has so many to choose from. It is always best to consider what substrate you are sanding and what grit you require before determining which abrasive to choose.

Mirka has a large selection, but did you know that Mirka first began over 20 years ago with the patented net abrasive 'Abranet'? The pinnacle of Mirka's dust free system, it all began with Abranet - the dust eliminating net abrasive and Mirka's range has grown over the years to tackle some pain points in various industries. If an abrasive for general use is what you are after, the 3 main abrasives to look at would be Abranet, Galaxy and Iridium which are all multi-functional and high functioning.

Let's take an objective view of what each abrasive has to offer and the features that may become deciding factors for narrowing down your choice. We have included a comparative table at the end to help you see at a glance what is the best option for your project.

Abralon: 

Abralon is a unique, multi-functional sanding material developed for tackling both smooth and profiled surfaces. The patented, flexible construction allows it to create a smooth sanding pattern on angled surfaces and edges while minimizing the risk of pressure marks. The flexible weave allows water and air to pass freely, resulting in a cleaner sanding process and a long lasting abrasive. Recommended for fine sanding of profiled surfaces and for finishing prior to polishing. Recommended to use wet.

Abranet: 

The multi-functional and classic Abranet is especially developed for sanding putty, primers, lacquers, composite materials and a wide range of other materials for industrial use. Abranet combines high performance and a long lifespan, making it a cost-effective solution. Designed for dry sanding, by hand or with a machine, the true dust-free sanding characteristics result in a cleaner work environment, as well as a better surface finish.

Abranet Ace:

Abranet Ace is developed to achieve outstanding results on challenging surface conditioning and repair applications. Thanks to the optimised net construction and ceramic grains, Abranet Ace offers superior cut and performance for hardwoods (such as beech and oak) and fast cutting on various solid surface materials as well as for cleaning of different industrial rollers. Abranet Ace also works excellent on primer sanding applications.

Abranet Ace HD:

Abranet Ace HD for dust-free sanding is durable and tough with ceramic grains. The strong net structure resists high wear and tear and the makes Abranet Ace HD ideal for heavy-duty applications. The improved woven mesh backing increases the lifetime of the abrasive, and makes the sanding process faster.

Abranet SIC NS:

Abranet SIC NS is a multifunctional net abrasive without stearate, developed mainly for glass sanding, but is also suitable for sanding of other hard surfaces like primers, clear coats and composites. The combination of high performance and a long lifespan makes it a cost-effective solution. The bonding is of resin type, and Abranet SIC NS is coated with an even, closed layer of silicon carbide grains.

Galaxy:

Mirka's latest and greatest - Galaxy has some new technology that has made the grains regenerating, extending the life of each disc, making use more efficient and cost effective.

Thanks to the optimised Multifit hole configuration, the abrasive is always correctly placed on any machine without the need to specifically align it. At its core, the Mirka Galaxy is a multi purpose product, suitable for the sanding of both soft and hard materials as well as various substrates. Superb edge wear resistance, excellent clogging resistance, dust repellent coating, and optimal dust extraction - the Mirka Galaxy serve well in the automotive sector, in vehicle manufacturing, collision repair, marine production as well as in the wood sector.

Iridium:

Iridium is a premium paper abrasive for universal sanding. Perfected for speed and efficiency, it has a mix of ceramic and aluminium oxide grains on a flexible paper with precision coating that prevents clogging and reduces pilling. It practically repels dust and lifetime is increased as the grains stay sharp for longer. Dust extraction is optimised with multihole patterns for discs and strips. Iridium delivers amazing results on both soft and hard surfaces, making it the ideal paper abrasive choice for professionals in any industry.

Novastar:

Novastar is a premium film abrasive that tackles demanding applications with unexpected ease. It has a mix of ceramic and aluminium oxide grains on a flexible film backing, with a precision coating that practically repels dust. The grains stay sharp as clogging is prevented. Great durability and excellent edge wear resistance. Dust extraction is optimised with multihole pattern. Fully waterproof. Novastar delivers remarkable results, especially on hard surfaces. 

 Still unsure? Why not get our sample pack?