info@mpmhobbies.com
Call: 1-(904) 885-0559
9297 Ford Rd.
Bryceville, Fl 32009
Master every stage of surface preparation with premium abrasive materials from Tamiya, Alpha Abrasives, Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, and specialty manufacturers engineered for scale modeling applications across plastic, resin, metal, and wood substrates. This comprehensive collection delivers consistent results from initial stock removal through ultra-fine mirror polishing for aircraft, armor, ships, figures, and dioramas.
Alpha Abrasives revolutionized ultra-fine finishing for scale modelers with their Micro Finishing Cloth technology featuring grits from 3200 through 12000 that create glass-smooth surfaces impossible to achieve with conventional sandpapers. The Micro Finishing Cloth Abrasive Sheets 3200-12000 (6 Grits) provides the complete progression from 3200, 4000, 6000, 8000, 10000, through 12000 grit in convenient sheet format, while individual refill tapes are available in 3200 grit, 3600 grit, 6000 grit, 8000 grit, and 12000 grit for replenishing specific grits as needed.
The micro finishing cloth material features a flexible cloth backing that conforms to curved surfaces, ultra-fine abrasive particles that create scratch patterns invisible to the naked eye, and durability that outlasts conventional sandpapers at equivalent grits. These ultra-fine grits are essential for achieving mirror finishes on natural metal aircraft, creating optically clear canopies and windscreens, leveling gloss paint before clear coating, and preparing surfaces for polishing compounds. The progression from 3200 through 12000 grit removes successively finer scratches until the surface achieves a reflective finish that rivals factory-polished parts. The 2x8 Sheets Micro Finishing Cloth Abrasive Strips with Foam Block provides convenient strip format with foam backing block for controlled sanding.
The Super Detailing Abrasive Eraser series provides precision abrasive tools shaped like pencil erasers for detail work in tight spaces and on small components. Available in 600 grit, 1000 grit, 1200 grit, 2000 grit, 3000 grit, and 4000 grit, these erasers allow precise material removal on small parts, cleanup of seam lines in tight corners, smoothing of putty applications in recessed areas, and refinement of detail parts without affecting surrounding surfaces.
The eraser format provides excellent control for detail work, with the abrasive material wearing away to expose fresh grit as it's used. The pencil-like shape allows access to areas impossible to reach with conventional sanding sticks or sheets, while the relatively soft backing prevents damage to delicate details. These erasers are particularly valuable for figure modelers working on facial features, armor modelers refining weld seams and cast texture, and aircraft modelers smoothing cockpit details and landing gear components. The progression from 600 through 4000 grit allows complete finishing workflows using only eraser-format abrasives.
The Flex-I-File system provides flexible sanding tools that conform to complex contours while maintaining consistent pressure across the sanding surface. The 150 Grit Coarse Flex-I-File Abrasive Tapes handles aggressive stock removal, while the 400 Grit Refill Fine Tape and 600 Grit Refill Extra Fine Tape provide progressive refinement. The 3x4 Flex-I-File Abrasive Sheets and 3x4 Ultra-Fine Finishes offer sheet format for hand sanding applications.
The flexible backing allows these abrasives to conform to curved surfaces like fuselages, turrets, and hull forms without creating flat spots that rigid sanding sticks would produce. The tape format provides long service life with consistent grit exposure throughout the abrasive's lifespan. Refill tapes are economical compared to disposable sanding sticks, with the flexible backing remaining usable through multiple tape changes. The system works equally well for wet or dry sanding, with water lubrication extending abrasive life and preventing clogging when working with soft plastics or putties.
Professional sanding films provide ultra-flat abrasive surfaces essential for achieving perfectly level finishes on flat panels and large surfaces. The 3x8 Sheets Professional Sanding Film and 4x4 Sheets Micro Fine Assorted Sanding Sheets feature polyester film backing that remains perfectly flat during use, preventing the rounding of edges that occurs with paper-backed abrasives. The Micro Finishing Cloth Abrasive Pads provide convenient pad format for hand sanding applications.
Sanding films are essential for leveling gloss paint before clear coating, creating perfectly flat surfaces on natural metal panels, preparing clear parts for polishing, and achieving consistent surface texture across large areas. The film backing prevents the abrasive from conforming to surface irregularities, instead removing high spots until the entire surface reaches a uniform level. This characteristic makes sanding films ideal for removing orange peel texture from gloss paint, leveling primer coats before color application, and creating the perfectly flat surfaces required for realistic natural metal finishes. The Double Coated Micro Finishing Film features abrasive on both sides for extended service life.
The Flexible Detail Sanding Kit provides comprehensive assortment of flexible abrasive pads in multiple grits for detail work, while refill pads are available in 180 grit, 240 grit, and 400 grit for replenishing specific grits. The 5pcs Flex-Pad Intro-Set provides starter assortment for modelers new to flexible sanding pad systems.
Flexible sanding pads combine the conformability of sanding sponges with the precision of rigid sanding sticks, providing controlled material removal on curved surfaces without the excessive rounding that sponges can produce. The pads feature foam backing that compresses slightly under pressure, allowing the abrasive surface to follow gentle curves while maintaining enough rigidity to prevent over-sanding of edges and details. These pads excel at smoothing compound curves like aircraft cowlings, refining organic shapes on figures and creatures, and blending putty repairs into surrounding surfaces without creating visible transitions.
Specialty sanding tools address specific modeling challenges with purpose-designed formats. The Assorted Grits Cone Tip Sander with Peel & Stick Pieces provides conical sanding surface ideal for refining holes, smoothing curved recesses, and accessing tight internal spaces. The Blue Medium Grit Plastic Sanding Needle offers needle-shaped abrasive tool for ultra-precise detail work in confined areas.
The 8/pack Ultra Fine Waterproof Finishing Kit provides comprehensive assortment of waterproof abrasives for wet-sanding applications, essential for achieving flawless gloss finishes on automotive models, aircraft, and any subject requiring mirror-smooth paint. Wet-sanding with progressively finer grits removes orange peel texture, levels clear coat applications, and prepares surfaces for final polishing. The waterproof backing prevents delamination during wet-sanding, while water lubrication prevents clogging and extends abrasive life when working with soft materials.
Tamiya provides comprehensive range of finishing abrasives engineered specifically for scale modeling applications. Sanding sponge sheets feature flexible foam backing that conforms to complex contours while providing consistent pressure across the sanding surface. Available in multiple grits including the popular 400 grit sanding sponge sheet, these tools excel at smoothing primer coats, refining putty applications, and blending seam repairs into surrounding surfaces without creating flat spots or hard edges.
Tamiya finishing abrasives include lapping films that provide ultra-flat sanding surfaces for leveling gloss paint and creating perfectly smooth finishes on clear parts. The film backing remains rigid during use, preventing the rounding of edges that occurs with flexible abrasives. Tamiya's waterproof papers allow wet-sanding for superior results on gloss finishes, with water lubrication preventing clogging and extending abrasive life. The comprehensive range from coarse through ultra-fine grits provides complete finishing workflow from a single trusted manufacturer.
Mr. Hobby waterproof sanding papers and sponges provide essential tools for achieving flawless gloss finishes. The Mr. Sanding Sponge Sheet 1000 Grit features flexible foam backing with waterproof abrasive coating ideal for wet-sanding gloss paint between color coats and before clear coating. The sponge format conforms to curved surfaces while maintaining consistent pressure, preventing the creation of flat spots that rigid abrasives would produce on compound curves.
Mr. Hobby waterproof papers feature silicon carbide abrasive on waterproof backing, allowing wet-sanding with water or specialized lubricants. Wet-sanding removes orange peel texture from gloss paint, levels clear coat applications, and prepares surfaces for polishing compounds. The waterproof construction prevents delamination during extended wet-sanding sessions, while the fine grit progression allows systematic refinement from initial leveling through final pre-polish preparation. These papers are essential for automotive modelers, aircraft modelers working on natural metal finishes, and any application requiring mirror-smooth gloss surfaces.
Vallejo flexi-sanders provide flexible sanding tools with ergonomic designs for comfortable extended use. The flexible backing conforms to curved surfaces while the abrasive coating provides consistent cutting action across multiple grit ranges. Vallejo glass fiber brushes offer alternative approach to surface preparation, using fine glass fibers to create texture on smooth surfaces, remove oxidation from metal parts, and prepare surfaces for adhesive bonding or paint application.
DU-BRO Kwik Sand systems provide quick-change sanding tools with replaceable abrasive pads, allowing rapid grit changes during progressive finishing workflows. Trumpeter sandpaper handles offer ergonomic grips for sheet abrasives, improving control and reducing hand fatigue during extended sanding sessions. Zona precision sanding strips provide narrow abrasive strips ideal for accessing tight spaces and refining small details. These specialty tools complement the comprehensive Alpha Abrasives and Tamiya offerings, providing complete abrasive solutions for every modeling challenge.
Successful finishing requires understanding which abrasive types and grits to use at each stage of the workflow. Initial stock removal uses coarse grits from 80-180 to remove mold lines, shape putty repairs, and eliminate major surface irregularities. Intermediate smoothing employs 240-400 grit to refine surfaces after coarse sanding, blend putty repairs into surrounding plastic, and prepare surfaces for primer application. Fine finishing uses 600-1000 grit to smooth primer coats, level gloss paint between color coats, and prepare surfaces for clear coating.
Ultra-fine finishing employs 1200-2000 grit to level clear coat applications, remove orange peel texture from gloss paint, and prepare surfaces for polishing. Mirror polishing uses 3200-12000 grit micro finishing cloth to create glass-smooth surfaces on natural metal finishes, achieve optical clarity on clear parts, and prepare surfaces for final polishing compounds. Each grit removes the scratches left by the previous grit, with the progression continuing until scratches become invisible to the naked eye and the surface achieves the desired finish quality.
Wet-sanding provides superior results compared to dry sanding for gloss finishes, using water or specialized lubricants to prevent clogging, extend abrasive life, and achieve finer finishes. Water lubrication floats away sanding debris that would otherwise clog the abrasive, allows finer grits to cut more effectively by preventing heat buildup, and creates slurry that acts as additional fine abrasive. Wet-sanding is essential for leveling gloss paint, removing orange peel texture, preparing clear parts for polishing, and achieving mirror finishes on natural metal.
Proper wet-sanding technique involves using waterproof abrasives designed for wet applications, applying consistent light pressure to avoid creating low spots, frequently rinsing the surface to remove sanding slurry, and progressing through successively finer grits without skipping steps. The surface should be kept wet throughout the sanding process, with frequent rinsing preventing buildup of sanding debris. After wet-sanding, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before proceeding to polishing or additional paint application. The ultra-smooth surface created by wet-sanding provides the ideal foundation for mirror-gloss clear coats or polishing compounds.
Abrasives work as part of integrated finishing systems that include complementary products for complete surface preparation workflows. Precision files and sanding sticks provide rigid abrasive tools for flat surfaces and hard edges, polishing compounds create final mirror finishes after ultra-fine sanding, and professional modeling tools support every stage of construction and finishing.
Whether you're smoothing primer coats on aircraft models, leveling gloss paint on automotive subjects, refining putty repairs on armor kits, achieving optical clarity on clear parts, or creating mirror finishes on natural metal aircraft, these precision abrasive systems from Alpha Abrasives, Tamiya, Mr. Hobby, and specialty manufacturers deliver the consistent results that distinguish exceptional models from ordinary builds, providing the surface preparation foundation that enables museum-quality finishing on scale modeling projects across all subjects and skill levels.