5" Stikit Low-Profile Firm Disc Pad - 5/16-24 Ext. Thread

This is 3M's 5" low profile Stikit back-up pad for use in general sanding applications.
It fits all standard (5/16-24 thread) sanders.

• Thin, firm foam allows for aggressive sanding - good for flatter surfaces
• Moderately tapered 30° beveled edge provides good edge support - sands flat
• Vinyl pad face provides good disc adhesion, yet allows easy removal
• Sold by the each; 10 per case


Heavy on the technical side...
Should you use a soft or firm sanding disc backing pad?
After you have decided between Stikit or Hookit, and chosen no-hole or clean sanding discs, and selected the disc diameter, you will still often be left with the choice of a firm or a soft backing pad.

• As a general rule, you should use coarser abrasive discs on firm backing pads, and finer grit discs on soft backing pads.

Soft Backing Pads
• Soft pads are not intended for use with very coarse abrasive discs, as the higher stresses induced by very coarse abrasives fatigues the foam prematurely.
• Having said that, a soft pad can be used with coarse grit discs for heavy material removal on rounded surfaces - like a sailboat hull - where it would be difficult to maintain full surface contact with a stiffer, firm backing pad.
Just don't expect the soft pad to last as long.

Firm Backing Pads
• Using coarse discs on a firm backing pad works very well, as long as the work surface is flat.
Using a firm pad on a curved surface can easily result in hard-to-remove gouges and scratch marks.
If the surface isn't flat - again, like a sailboat hull - you will generally want to use a softer pad for full surface contact, no matter what the grit of the sanding disc.
• Firm pads are also recommended for leveling uneven surfaces - such as paint brush strokes and runs.
In this application, a soft pad might simply conform to raised areas, rather than cutting them down.