The Infinite Sandpaper Hack: Cleaning Sandpaper with Gum Sole

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with clogged sandpaper? You’re not alone. It’s a common issue that can slow down your projects and make them less effective. But fear not! I’ve got a game-changing solution for you: cleaning sandpaper with gum sole.

I use a ton of grits of sandpaper for my projects. Especially if I’m trying to get a glass edge. 

Cleaning Sandpaper with Gum Sole?? 

You might be wondering, “How on earth can gum sole clean sandpaper?” Well, it’s actually quite simple. The sticky nature of gum sole makes it the perfect tool for removing debris and buildup from sandpaper.

Fine. How Do It? 

So, how do you go about cleaning sandpaper with gum sole? It’s easy! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Gather Your Materials: All you need is a piece of gum sole from an old shoe and your clogged sandpaper.
2. Rub the Sandpaper: Take the gum sole and gently rub it over the surface of the sandpaper. The sticky texture will grab onto any debris and pull it away from the abrasive surface.
3. Repeat as Needed: Depending on how clogged your sandpaper is, you may need to repeat the process several times. Just keep rubbing until the sandpaper looks clean and ready to use again.
4. Inspect and Test: Once you’ve cleaned the sandpaper, give it a quick inspection to make sure all the debris has been removed. Then, test it out on a scrap piece of leather to ensure it’s working effectively.

And there you have it! Cleaning sandpaper with gum sole is a simple yet effective way to keep your sandpaper in top condition and extend its lifespan. Plus, it’s a great way to reuse old shoe soles if you have some old shoes kicking around. 

Next time you’re tackling a leather project and your sandpaper starts to lose its effectiveness, don’t toss it out. Grab some gum sole and give it a good cleaning instead.

If you haven’t already, check out the video here. It’s a short one but I go over how I use it and you can see the results. It’s also effective for cleaning sandpaper drums on sander burnisher machines. 

Pick up your gum sole here. 

You can also grab the sandpaper I use here, and the micro mesh I use to get a glass edge here.