The 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive

For a technician in the collision repair industry, maintaining a clean workspace in the shop while maximizing efficiency and productivity is essential to a successful day on the job. 

The 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive was engineered to help support those goals. This abrasive is designed to deliver a fast, consistent cut while standing up to the demands of the repair process to enable product longevity. 

From paint removal and filler sanding to blend preparation and primer sanding, the 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive – when used as part of the 3M™ Clean Sanding System and in accordance with applicable instructions – can help collision repair technicians support efficiency, reduce cleanup time, and improve shop productivity. 

The Right Cut for the Job 

The 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive is engineered for strong cut performance. 

"The disc, offered from Grade 80 to 400, features a tough ceramic blended with a premium aluminum oxide mineral," said Gabe Stoll, an application engineer at 3M. "This combination of materials was designed to provide an excellent cut rate and quality results in less time, depending on the application and use conditions." 

Not only that, but the materials in the 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive Disc allow it to be used on a range of jobs and to endure the stresses of those jobs with long-lasting quality. 

Designed for Durability 

One of the other big draws for the 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive is its strong edge retention and its resistance to wrinkling, stretching, or tearing under recommended use conditions. 

Traditionally, backings used for abrasives are predominately paper or film. 

"That's been the long-running standard throughout the industry," Stoll said. "In order for a net backing to be adopted, it needs to be capable of surviving the durability requirements achieved by the traditional paper and film abrasives. 3M’s new Blue Net Abrasive has been designed and evaluated to accomplish this.”  

Another feature that is a huge draw for collision technicians is the 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive’s ability to maintain a clean workspace. 

A Cleaner Approach 

The 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive uses an open net construction that can help reduce loading by allowing dust to pass through to a compatible dust-extraction system. 

“Certain users appreciate the numerous open pockets of a net backing that collect dust with usage preventing potential for loading or clogging the abrasive,” Stoll said.  “However, loading prevention is maximized through usage of the abrasive in combination with dust extraction through the 3M™ Clean Sanding System.  The hole-agnostic design of the 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive allows fantastic extraction at any orientation on the backup pad of the tool.”  

When dust doesn't get collected at the source, it tends to spread through a wide working area," Stoll said. "Our net abrasives are designed to help reduce loading or clogging, especially when used in combination with a compatible dust extractor." 

Capturing dust at the source can help reduce downstream cleanup across a wider working area. This may support technician efficiency in the shop by allowing technicians to spend more time focused on the job at hand and less time on cleanup. 

Enabling Profitability 

Keeping a collision technician's workspace cleaner can help support a cleaner work environment when used with appropriate dust collection and personal protective equipment. 

"Reducing airborne dust can help reduce potential exposure when appropriate dust extraction and personal protective equipment are used," Stoll said. "Technicians should always follow applicable workplace safety requirements and 3M product instructions." 

This is why 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive can be a useful addition for a shop. 

"You can get more done in a given time frame with it, depending on the application, operator technique, and overall sanding system setup, and that may create opportunities for greater efficiency and productivity," Stoll said. "For net abrasive users, it's a valuable addition to your 3M™ Clean Sanding System and can help improve your collision refinish experience."  

To learn more about the 3M™ Hookit™ Blue Net Abrasive, visit:  

https://go.3M.com/3MHookitBlueNetAbrasive