The Mirka Abranet 3-in. x 4-in. P400 grip mesh sanding sheet (model 9A-129-400) is a dust-free net abrasive sold 50 sheets to a box. This is a hook and loop mesh sanding sheet designed for fine sanding of primer, paint, lacquer, filler, wood and metal on 3 x 4-in. sanders and hand blocks. Mirka's own summary: dust-free sanding gives a cleaner work environment and a better surface finish.

Abranet was the original net abrasive. Instead of grain on paper, the grain is bonded to an open mesh, so dust passes through the sheet into the pad and extractor rather than building up under it. The sheet keeps cutting longer, the scratch stays consistent and the air in the shop stays cleaner.

At P400 this is a fine grit. It is a common step for sanding primer and sealer, scuffing paint and lacquer between coats, and refining body filler and repairs before paint. On bare wood it is a final smoothing grit for close-grained hardwoods and finishes that show every scratch.

Mirka lists Abranet as suitable for hardwood including oak, ash, beech, birch, teak and mahogany, pine and resinous softwood, veneer, MDF and HDF, chipboard and melamine, plastics, body filler, plaster and filler, primer, paint sanding and removal, lacquers, steel, mild and stainless steel, cast iron, non-ferrous metals, copper, brass and bronze, and solid surface brands such as Corian, Staron and HI-MACS.

Buy this if you run a 3 x 4-in. sander or hand block and want a fine dust-free step that works across wood, paint and metal. Pair it with a dust extractor to get the full benefit of the mesh.

The Mesh That Started It

The Mirka Abranet 3 x 4-in. P400 sheet is a fine, versatile dust-free grit that handles wood, paint and metal equally well.

• Who it's for: Finishers, body shops and woodworkers running 3 x 4-in. sanders or hand blocks with extraction.
• Why it stands out: Open net abrasive that stays clean and cuts consistently across a wide range of materials.
• Worth knowing: For hardwood and heavy primer work, Abranet Ace adds ceramic grain for more cut.

• Do I need to line up dust holes? No. The whole sheet is open mesh, so it extracts through any pad hole pattern.
• Can I use it on metal? Yes. Mirka lists steel, stainless steel, cast iron and non-ferrous metals among suitable materials.