What is Liquid Sandpaper – How to Use it Correctly?

It should be noted that liquid sandpaper is really a colloquial term since you do not actually “sand” with the product.

Instead, it is an alternative to regular or standard sandpaper products that offer advantages in certain situations.

This is especially true if you need to paint a surface that needs to be prepared quickly and easily.

In general, liquid sandpaper can be defined as a chemical solution that helps in removing the glossy layer from your already painted surface.

Unlike your regular sandpapers, these are designed just for removing the gloss and not to provide any smoothness so that you can easily paint over the object without dripping off the paint.

While most people are familiar with standard sandpaper (which is a rough, sandy surface on hard paper that is used to smooth surfaces, take away small imperfections, or prime a surface for painting), liquid sandpaper may be less familiar.

Understanding the differences will help you make the best-informed decision about which product to use.

Liquid Sandpaper vs. Regular Sandpaper

Understanding the differences in detail starts with a definition of what regular and liquid sandpaper is, how liquid sandpaper is used, and the situations in which liquid sandpaper is superior compared to regular sandpaper.

So, please allow me to get into some details…

Regular Sandpaper

Standard sandpaper (paper-like abrasive material) has been used for many decades to smooth wooden surfaces.

It is one of the most common items used, ranging from construction sites to home projects.

Most standard versions of sandpaper can be found on thick paper or rolls that allow you to move it back and forth across a surface. This means you can sand by hand or use a tool to do the job.

Sanding by hand helps you smooth out the small cracks and depressions that sanding with a tool will miss, but it is also considerably more difficult and labor-intensive.

But it is commonly used to refinish furniture and other wood surfaces by preparing it for a new coat of oil paint.

What is Liquid Sandpaper?

As noted before, the term itself is not accurate to the product.

Although the intention is basically the same, liquid sandpaper is a solvent that is applied to the surface and wiped with a rag to achieve the same results as regular sandpaper.

It is generally made from ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, and naphtha, among other chemicals like TSP or trisodium phosphate.

A more accurate term for liquid sandpaper might be a Deglosser or a de-glossing solution designed to remove the finish from a surface for preparation to paint.

When rubbed into the surface using a rag or cloth, it can remove the layers of paint or gloss that have been applied previously from both wood and metal surfaces.

In certain circumstances, using liquid sandpaper offers advantages that cannot be matched by standard sandpaper.

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How to Use a Liquid Sandpaper Correctly?

To apply the liquid sandpaper properly, you will need to understand the steps for its use.

Keep in mind that liquid sandpaper such as Klean Strip primarily will remove the top layers of varnish, glossy finish, or paint from a surface, but it does have its limitation.

1. Wash the surface with warm water and soap. Remove all dirt from the surface.
2. Dry the wall with a cloth. Let it fully air dry before applying the product.
3. Place a small amount of liquid sandpaper on a lint-free cloth.
4. Rub the cloth on the surface so that the liquid sandpaper is transferred.
5. Let the liquid sandpaper sit on the surface for the time designated by the instructions (about 10-15 minutes).
6. Wipe off the surface with another lint-free cloth to remove any residue left.

You can also wash away the liquid sandpaper if you choose, then dry it properly before you start painting.

Just be sure to read and follow the directions properly.

As you can tell from the instructions, liquid sandpaper works as a chemical reaction and not friction as it does with regular sandpaper.

Safety Tips When Using

Since liquid sandpaper is made from toxic chemicals, it’s crucial for you to follow certain precautions and safety tips when using them.

Some of them are as follows;

1- Ventilate the area

Because the liquid contains chemicals, there can be fumes emitted when using it. You should therefore avoid fume inhalation.

Also, do not use it near children, pregnant women, or family members with any respiratory problems.  

It’s good to use the liquid in a well-ventilated area, or consider opening up the windows and doors in the room where you are using it.

2- Wear proper protection

Getting skin contact with the liquid can be highly dangerous.

If it gets into the eyes (or any other organ), it can cause blindness, organ damage, or even death.

Hence, it is important that you wear gloves, safety goggles, a mask, and proper clothing (like a painter’s apron and pants) while using the mixture.

If it gets in contact with the skin accidentally, wash the skin immediately with warm water and soap.

3- Keep away from flames

Few liquid sandpaper solutions can be inflammable.

So, make sure that you do not use them near open flames or electric equipment.

Also, do not ever smoke when you are using the liquid.

While storing, also check that there is no chance of a fire (or open flames) erupting near the area.

4- Store the container safely

If you are storing the left-out liquid sandpaper for future use, make sure that the storage place is out of reach of pets and children in your home.

Also, ensure that you keep the container erect to prevent any spillage or leakage.

Never ever store the liquid in the kitchen or in the vicinity of food or drinks at home. This can prove to be highly toxic and dangerous.

5- Dispose of the liquid carefully

While it’s always been tempting to store the liquid sandpaper (if you have any left after the usage), I am completely against the idea, especially if you have small kids, pets, or seniors at home.

Instead, you should dispose of the hazardous liquid sandpaper carefully while following the applicable rules and regulations specifically meant for your area.

Never try to dispose of it by emptying it down into the drain. This can pollute the environment by leaching into the waterways.

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When and Why to Choose Liquid Sandpaper?

The main reason to use liquid sandpaper is to prepare a surface for painting with less time and effort than will be needed when using regular sandpaper.

So, if you are on a small project that needs to be completed relatively fast, it’s good to use liquid sandpaper rather than your regular piece of sandpaper.

Both products do essentially the same job, but in different ways, which is important to understand, so you can make the right decision as to which one to use.

1- Ease of Use

Liquid sandpaper takes less time and effort to use compared to regular sandpaper.

This is particularly true for uneven or rounded surfaces that are common with many furniture products.

A wooden chair, for example, may have rounded, uneven areas complete with design patterns that make regular sandpaper unwelcome in such situations.

This is because regular sandpaper is labor-intensive and might dull the details that such furniture may have that make it unique.

Liquid sandpaper is far less labor-intensive and helps preserve the details to a much greater degree.

2- Faster Results

Liquid sandpaper solution is good at quickly removing the gloss without correcting the imperfections.

In most cases, it does take less than 15 minutes for liquid sandpaper to dry before you can put the primer or repaint the surface.

This means if you want to remove the gloss from a surface that doesn’t need any priming or sanding (for correcting any imperfections it may have), liquid sandpaper can work faster without creating any mess.  

3- No Dust Particles

Another advantage of liquid sandpaper is that you have little in the way of clean-up after the project is finished.

Unlike regular sandpaper, which leaves behind many dust particles on the table or hardwood floor, liquid sandpaper leaves little to clean up apart from removing the product from the surface area.

This also means you do not need to waste extra time cleaning the surfaces when you have limited time and energy to spend.

4- Good for Detailed Projects

If you have large detailed woodworking projects, regular paper sandpapers can be tough and time-consuming.

One major problem with them is they do not allow you to reach and sand the fine details of an ornate object.

Liquid sandpaper, on the other hand, can be conveniently used to sand any kind of grooves, nooks, and crannies in the design without damaging your delicate object.

5- Safe for lead paints

Using standard sandpaper for sanding the old painted surface will expose you to the risk of inhaling toxic lead particles, especially if you do not know how old the object is and whether there is lead present or not.

Using a liquid sandpaper solution, on the other hand, will allow you to deal with it safely. You just rub the solution on the object, wait for some time and wipe it off.

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Are There Any Disadvantages of Liquid Sander?

One major con of liquid sandpaper is that many of the products use toxic chemicals.

So, you will need to use it in a well-ventilated area and wear the proper protection.

For objects that can be moved, you may want to do the work outdoors or in a garage with the garage door open and the fans running.

Another potential con is that liquid sandpaper is more expensive and not really designed for use on large surfaces.

If you want to repaint a chair, table, or wall that is relatively smooth to begin with, then liquid sandpaper can be quite useful.

However, if you want to sand a large, rough surface, such as a wooden floor that has many cracks and imperfections, you may want to use a sanding machine instead.

Despite its disadvantages, liquid sandpaper is perfect for applications where you want to preserve delicate details on the wood surface.

It is also quite useful when you want to save time and effort in removing the gloss or paint from an item that needs to be repainted.

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What is the Best Liquid Sandpaper – Where to Buy it?

Klean-Strip Liquid Sander Deglosser is one of the finest products I have used when it comes to removing stains or glossy layers of wood.

The good thing I noticed about this product is the biodegradable and water-based chemical ingredients that make it safe to use for any project.

This liquid Deglosser can work quickly to increase the adhesion of the old surface – you want to remove the shiny layer and repaint it.

Klean Strip not only can work for peeling away glossy varnishes but also for taking polyurethane, lacquer, stain, or enamel off the surfaces like wood molding, door facings, cabinets, etc.

The product is manufactured in the USA; it’s non-flammable, non-corrosive, and nearly odorless.

If in the US, you can buy it online from stores like Amazon, Lowes, or Home Depot, where it’s available at a very low cost.

Based on your location, Sherwin Williams, Woodies, Wickes, Screwfix, Wilko, Polycell, Krud Kutter, Menards, Sunnyside, etc., are some other well-known brands you can look at when buying.

Do not forget to check the consumer reviews of the specific product if you buy them online at stores.

The Bottom Line

Naturally, liquid sandpaper (like Klean Strip liquid sandpaper) is more expensive than its regular sandpaper counterpart, and you will need special protection, such as a mask and gloves when using it.

But the advantages are considerable as it does the work for you with far less time and effort compared to regular sandpaper.

No matter whether you are using a liquid sander for varnished wood cabinets, door trims, deck, or metals, it works perfectly fine.You can even use it for refinishing the car paint in your garage.

Do not forget to follow the instructions provided on the pack to use it correctly.