Hey everyone! I’ve been diving deep into my latest home renovation project, aiming to keep everything as eco-friendly as possible. I’ve been using Earthborn natural clay paints for the walls, and I’m absolutely in love with the texture and depth they bring to the room. But here’s where I hit a bit of a snag - preparing the surfaces. I’ve always been a bit wary of the waste generated by sandpaper, so I started looking into recycled sandpaper options. I came across 3M’s Green Corps recycled sandpaper and decided to give it a try.
The experience was… mixed. On one hand, it felt great to be reducing waste, and the sandpaper did a decent job on the plaster walls before applying the Earthborn paint. However, I noticed it wore out a bit faster than I’m used to with conventional sandpaper, especially on tougher surfaces. I’m curious if anyone else has tried pairing recycled sandpaper with natural paints? How did it go for you? Did you find any brands that stood up better to heavy-duty sanding? Also, any tips on extending the life of recycled sandpaper would be much appreciated!
Looking forward to hearing your experiences and any other eco-friendly surface prep tips you might have. Let’s keep pushing for more sustainable DIY practices!
Hey @EcoPainter88, I’ve also been on the lookout for more sustainable DIY materials. I tried 3M’s Green Corps on a small furniture project with Auro natural paint. Like you, I found it wore out quicker, but for smaller projects, it’s been manageable. I wonder if alternating between new and recycled sandpaper could be a middle ground?
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I haven’t tried recycled sandpaper yet, but your post has inspired me to give it a go! I’m currently using Ecos paints and would love to make my whole process more eco-friendly. Does anyone know if recycled sandpaper works well with water-based paints?
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@GreenThumb99 That’s a great idea about alternating! I might try that on my next project. How did the Auro paint hold up with the sanding? I’ve been curious about trying different brands.
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I’ve been using Mirka’s recycled sandpaper with Biofa paints and have had a pretty good experience. It does wear out faster, but I’ve found that using a lighter touch and frequently cleaning the paper helps extend its life. Also, investing in a good dust extraction system can make a big difference!
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@SandyShore Thanks for the tip! I hadn’t considered the impact of dust extraction. I’ll definitely look into that. How do you find the Biofa paints compare to other natural paints in terms of coverage and durability?
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Just chiming in to say I love the direction this thread is going! It’s so refreshing to see more people embracing eco-friendly DIY practices. I haven’t tried recycled sandpaper yet, but after reading these comments, I’m definitely going to give it a shot with my next project using Livos paints.
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@LeafLover That’s great to hear! Let us know how it goes with the Livos paints. I’m always eager to learn about new sustainable materials and techniques.
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I’ve been experimenting with recycled sandpaper too, and yeah, it does seem to wear out faster. But I found that using a sanding block helps distribute the pressure more evenly, which can extend its life a bit. Not a game-changer, but every little bit helps, right?
Interesting point about alternating between new and recycled sandpaper. I might give that a try. I’ve been using EcoPro sandpaper with Biofa paints and noticed the recycled stuff struggles with heavy-duty jobs. Maybe mixing it up could be the way to go for bigger projects.
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I haven’t tried recycled sandpaper yet, but this thread is making me consider it. I’m all for reducing waste, but I also don’t want to compromise on quality. Does anyone know if there’s a significant price difference between recycled and conventional sandpaper?
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I’ve been using Mirka recycled sandpaper with Livos natural paints, and honestly, I haven’t noticed much difference in performance. Maybe it’s the brand, but it’s been holding up pretty well for me. Might be worth checking out if you’re looking for alternatives.
This is such a timely discussion for me. I’m about to start a project using Aglaia paints and was just wondering about the best way to prep the surfaces. I think I’ll give recycled sandpaper a shot, maybe start with a small area and see how it goes. Thanks for the insights, everyone!
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I’ve been down the eco-friendly renovation path too and tried using recycled sandpaper with Auro natural paints. Honestly, it was a bit of a letdown. The sandpaper didn’t last long, and I ended up going through sheets much faster than I anticipated. It’s great for light sanding, but for anything more, I had to switch back to conventional sandpaper. Maybe I need to try Mirka’s as you suggested.
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That’s interesting about Mirka’s sandpaper. I’ve been using EcoProCote paints and found that the key is really in the prep work. I use a combination of recycled sandpaper for initial smoothing and then switch to a finer, conventional grit for the final touches. It’s a compromise, but it helps reduce waste without sacrificing the finish quality.
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I haven’t tried recycled sandpaper yet, but your experience with 3M’s Green Corps makes me curious. I’ve been using BioShield paints and always looking for ways to make my projects more sustainable. Maybe I’ll give it a shot on my next project and see how it goes. Do you think the type of surface makes a big difference in how well the recycled sandpaper performs?
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I’ve been experimenting with different brands of recycled sandpaper and found that Klingspor’s eco-friendly line works pretty well with Green Planet Paints. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than some others I’ve tried. I agree that a lighter touch and keeping the paper clean can really help extend its life. It’s all about finding the right balance between being eco-conscious and getting the job done right.
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I think the key takeaway here is that while recycled sandpaper is a step in the right direction for eco-friendly renovations, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the project, it might be necessary to mix and match with conventional products to achieve the best results. It’s all about reducing our environmental impact where we can without compromising on quality.
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Has anyone considered using alternative surface preparation methods that might be more sustainable? I’ve heard about using natural fiber brushes or even certain types of sponges for smoothing surfaces before painting. It might be worth exploring if we’re looking to minimize waste even further.
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I’ve been down the eco-friendly DIY path for a while now, and I gotta say, the recycled sandpaper journey is a tricky one. I tried it with Auro natural paints, and while the sandpaper did its job, it wasn’t without its quirks. Like you mentioned, it wears out faster, especially on uneven surfaces. I found that using a sanding block helps distribute the pressure more evenly, which can extend its life a bit. Also, keeping it clean from dust buildup is key. It’s a bit more work, but hey, for the planet, right?
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