3M 02548 Gold Sandpaper Sheet P100 Grit 9x11 in 50-Pack | Aluminum Oxide Load-Resistant Anti-Clog | Shapes Filler, Removes Paint & Refines Bare Metal | Hand & Machine Sanding

3M 02548 Gold Sandpaper Sheet P100 Grit 9 × 11 in 50-Pack — Load-Resistant Anti-Clog Aluminum Oxide on A-Weight Paper Backing | Shapes Plastic Filler, Removes Paint & Refines Bare Metal | Hand & Machine Dry Sanding

3M Gold Paper Sheet (216U) is a P100-grit aluminum oxide abrasive sheet on a light A-weight paper backing with a load-resistant anti-clog coating. The anti-loading formula keeps the abrasive surface open longer when sanding soft materials such as plastic filler, putty, and paint — extending sheet life and maintaining consistent cut throughout the sheet’s service life. For dry sanding only. 9 in. × 11 in. full sheet. Compatible with hand sanding blocks and machine sanders. 50 sheets per pack.

Part Specifications

• Part Number: 3M-02548
• Product Line: 3M Gold Paper Sheet (216U)
• Grit: P100
• Sheet Size: 9 in. × 11 in.
• Abrasive Mineral: Aluminum oxide
• Backing: A-weight paper (light, flexible)
• Coating: Load-resistant anti-clog formula
• Sanding Method: Dry only — not for wet sanding
• Application Method: Hand sanding block or machine sander
• Surfaces: Plastic filler, putty, metal, paint, clear coat, fiberglass, plastic
• Typical Uses: Shaping plastic filler, removing paint around damaged area, scratch refinement of bare metal
• Package Quantity: 50 sheets

P100 Grit in the Sanding Progression — When to Use It and What Comes Before and After

P100 is a medium-coarse production grit — aggressive enough to shape and level plastic filler, feather paint edges, and remove surface material efficiently, but fine enough to leave a surface that can be refined with finer grits before priming or painting. Understanding where P100 fits in the sanding sequence prevents oversanding or undersanding at each stage:

• Before P100 (coarser grits — P40 to P80): Used for initial shaping of heavy filler builds, removing thick paint layers, or stripping down to bare substrate. If the surface arrives at P100 with deep P40–P80 scratches still visible, those scratches must be worked through with P100 before moving finer — skipping grits leaves scratch patterns that show through primer and finish coats.
• P100 (this product — 3M-02548): Shapes and levels plastic filler and body filler; removes paint around damaged areas; refines bare metal scratch patterns left by coarser grits; feathers paint edges for blending. Leaves a P100 scratch pattern that must be refined before priming in most finishing systems.
• After P100 (finer grits — P150 to P320+): After P100 shaping and leveling, work progressively through P150, P180, and P220+ to refine the scratch pattern before applying primer or surfacer. Most automotive and marine refinishing primer systems specify a minimum P150–P220 surface before primer application. After primer, continue with P320–P400 and finer before topcoat.

Key rule: Work through grits progressively — do not skip more than one grit step. Each grit removes the scratch pattern left by the previous grit. Skipping from P100 directly to P220 or primer leaves P100 scratches that will telegraph through the finish, especially on metallic and dark colors.

Anti-Load (Anti-Clog) Coating — Why It Matters for Filler and Paint Sanding

The gold color of 3M Gold Paper Sheet indicates the load-resistant anti-clog coating applied to the abrasive surface. This coating is specifically important when sanding soft, heat-generating materials:

• Plastic body filler and putty generate fine dust and heat during sanding that can melt and ball up in the abrasive surface (loading), reducing cut rate and leaving streaks or ball marks on the surface
• The anti-load coating resists this buildup, keeping the abrasive surface open and cutting efficiently for significantly longer than uncoated abrasive sheets
• Result: more consistent scratch pattern across the sheet’s life, fewer sheet changes per panel, and a cleaner, more uniform surface before the next grit step
• Still a dry-sanding product — the anti-load coating does not make it suitable for wet sanding; use wet/dry silicon carbide paper for wet sanding applications

Marine & Refinishing Applications

• Shaping and leveling plastic filler repairs on fiberglass hulls, transoms, and gel coat surfaces after impact damage or blister repair
• Feathering paint edges around damaged areas before primer and paint application
• Scratch refinement of bare aluminum and steel hardware, brackets, and structural components after grinding or cutting
• Sanding painted surfaces around repair areas to promote adhesion before spot primer and topcoat
• General surface preparation on fiberglass, paint, clear coat, and plastic before refinishing

Application Notes

• For hand sanding, use with a firm rubber or cork sanding block to maintain flat, even pressure across the surface — sanding by hand without a block concentrates pressure on the fingertips and produces an uneven surface
• For machine sanding, cut or fold the full 9 × 11 in. sheet to fit the sander’s pad or use a sheet clamp-type sander that accepts full sheets
• Keep the surface and sheet dry — this product is for dry sanding only and will degrade if used wet
• Sand in long, overlapping strokes in one direction when shaping filler — check the surface frequently with a straightedge or guide coat to identify high and low spots
• Frequently knock dust off the sheet against the bench or use compressed air to clear the abrasive surface and extend sheet life; discard when the abrasive surface is noticeably worn or loading is no longer clearing
• Wear a dust mask or respirator when sanding plastic filler and paint — fine abrasive dust and cured filler particles are a respiratory hazard

Additional Information

• Vendor: 3M
• SKU: 3M-02548
• Product Type: Abrasives
• Grit: P100
• Sheet Size: 9 in. × 11 in.
• Package Quantity: 50 sheets
• Country of Origin: USA
• HS Code: 6805.20 (natural or artificial abrasive powder or grain on a base of paper or paperboard — verify for your import classification)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is P100 grit used for in a sanding sequence?
A: P100 is a medium-coarse production grit suited for shaping and leveling plastic filler, feathering paint edges, and refining bare metal scratch patterns left by coarser grits (P40–P80). After P100, continue with P150, P180, and P220+ before applying primer. Do not skip grit steps — P100 scratches left in the surface will telegraph through primer and finish coats.

Q: Why is this called “Gold” sandpaper, and what does the gold color mean?
A: The gold color identifies the load-resistant anti-clog coating on the abrasive surface. This coating resists the buildup of soft material (filler dust, paint residue) that causes standard abrasive sheets to load and stop cutting. The anti-load formula keeps the sheet cutting efficiently longer, particularly when sanding plastic filler and paint.

Q: Can this product be used for wet sanding?
A: No — 3M Gold Paper Sheet is for dry sanding only. The A-weight paper backing and anti-load coating are not designed for water. For wet sanding applications, use a wet/dry silicon carbide abrasive sheet rated for wet use.

Q: What is the sheet size, and how many sheets are in a pack?
A: 9 in. × 11 in. full sheet size. 50 sheets per pack. Full sheets can be cut or folded to fit quarter-sheet, half-sheet, or other sander pad sizes as needed.

Q: Can this sheet be used on a random orbital or DA sander, or is it only for hand sanding?
A: Compatible with both hand sanding and machine sanding. For machine use, cut or fold the full sheet to fit the sander’s pad size, or use with a sheet-clamp type sander that accepts full 9 × 11 in. sheets. Disc-pad sanders require cut-to-fit or purpose-cut discs — this is a flat sheet format, not a pre-cut disc.