Finish and Repair
3M™ Wetordry™ Cloth Disc 481W features silicon carbide — a mineral that is very sharp and commonly used for low-pressure applications such as paint prep. While it breaks down faster than aluminum oxide, silicon carbide produces a superior finish. Users apply light pressure to obtain a consistent scratch pattern that is often desirable for final finishing. One of its greatest features is its versatility — it may be used on a variety of substrates: metals, whitewood, softwood and hardwoods. 3M™ Wetordry™ Cloth Disc 481W is used with a disc pad holder (PDF, 4.29 Mb), so operators can abrade the workpiece by hand.

The Benefits of Cloth-Backed Discs
The cloth backing on this disc is a durable, water-resistant polyester screen. 3M™ Wetordry™ products are engineered to include proprietary waterproof cloth backing, which supports both wet and dry applications. Cloth-backed discs are known for their durability and flexibility; they're a good first choice when working with metal or for heavy wood stock removal. At the same time, these applications tend to produce a significant amount of dust, clogging the abrasive points and creating an inferior work environment. These effects may be minimized by sanding with water to rinse dust away from the workpiece and the abrasive surface.

Some technicians like using the abrasive dry, because they can quickly inspect the work. With wet sanding, water is used as a lubricant. This keeps the abrasive clear of loading and can prolong the life of the abrasive.