Choosing the Right Abrasive for Your Ekasand Sander

 

When it comes to new construction painting, sanding is one of those steps that can either make your life easy—or slow you way down. Using the right abrasive with your Ekasand sander is key to getting smooth, professional results on interior trim, closets, doors, and MDF surfaces without wasting time or materials.

In this post, I’ll break down the exact abrasives I use on new construction jobs and explain when and why to use each one.

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Keep It Simple: Fewer Abrasives, Better Results

 

I don’t use a huge variety of abrasives. In fact, I stick to just a few that cover almost every situation I run into. The goal is versatility and speed, not overcomplicating your setup.

Most of my sanding is done with:

• 320 grit abrasives for general prep

• 150 grit for heavier sanding when needed

• A ½-inch fine open-cell sponge for edges and contours

That’s it.

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Paper vs. Plastic Film Abrasives: What’s the Difference?

I mainly use two types of abrasives on my Ekasand sander: paper abrasives and plastic film abrasives.

 

EkaStorm

EkaStorm is a paper abrasive, and it cuts fast. This is what I reach for when I want to sand quickly—especially in closets or rougher areas where speed matters.

• Sands aggressively

• Great for quick material removal

• Ideal for closet packs and rough surfaces

 

FilmTek 

FilmTek is a plastic film abrasive. It lasts much longer than paper and won’t rip or tear as easily.

• More durable than paper

• Ideal for flat surfaces

• My go-to for MDF, baseboards, window sills, and trim

I predominantly run 320 grit FilmTek on flat surfaces because it gives excellent results without being overly aggressive.

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Why 320 Grit Is the Sweet Spot

For most new construction sanding, 320 grit is the perfect balance. It smooths surfaces effectively without cutting too deep, even after primer.

I use 320 grit on:

• MDF trim

• Baseboards

• Window sills

• Door casings

• Closet components

It works great before paint and doesn’t leave behind deep scratches that show through your finish.

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When to Step Down to 150 Grit

 

Sometimes, you need more bite.

If door jambs have heavy wood grain or closet packs are especially rough, I’ll switch to 150 grit EkaStorm to knock things down quickly. Just be careful—150 grit is aggressive and can cut through primer fast.

Use 150 grit when:

• You need heavy sanding quickly

• Surfaces are rough or uneven

• Wood grain is raised and visible

Once the surface is under control, I’ll switch back to 320 grit to refine it.

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Pad Savers: A Must-Have Accessory

 

All of my abrasives are mounted on pad savers, and for good reason.

Pad savers:

• Protect the hook-and-loop backing on your sander

• Reduce swirl marks

• Make abrasives faster and easier to swap

• Save money by preventing pad damage

Pad savers are cheap compared to replacing a sanding pad, and I always keep multiples on hand. I like being able to swap abrasives instantly without downtime.

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Don’t Forget the Open-Cell EkaSilk Sponges

 

The ½-inch fine or medium fine open-cell sponge is essential for detail work. Attached to my 3x4 sander, this makes sanding faster and more efficient.  

This sponge:

• Conforms to rounded and contoured edges

• Softens sharp corners on shelves

• Works great around hinges and detailed areas

Anytime I’m sanding edges or finishing details, this sponge is what I grab.

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Final Thoughts

 

Choosing the right abrasive isn’t about having every grit on the wall—it’s about using a small, reliable setup that works everywhere. With a combination of 320 grit plastic film, like FilmTek abrasives, 150 grit for heavy sanding, a fast-cutting paper option like EkaStorm, and an open-cell medium fine sponge like Ekasilk for details, you can handle nearly all new construction sanding efficiently.

 

Paired with the Ekasand 3x4 sander, this setup gives you speed, consistency, and professional results job after job.

 

If you want to learn more about sanding, prep work, and complete new construction workflows, check out the full course available at PaintLifeSupply.com.