Categories: Product Reviews

Gator Ultra Power Premium Series Sandpaper Review

Gator Ultra Power Sandpaper

We recently received samples of the all new Gator Ultra Power Sandpaper manufactured by Ali Industries. The new Gator Ultra Power Premium Sandpaper is manufactured using Black Zirconium to create a sandpaper that’s supposed to sand faster and longer.

According to the manufacturer, Gator Ultra Power sandpaper also features heavy weight paper for the sandpaper discs and sheets and heavy duty cloth for the belts, increasing sandpaper strength and longevity. The glues also are top-of-the-line phenolic resins to ensure sandpaper integrity, and the discs and sheets have a special no-load coating that reduces material loading so you don’t have to change paper as often.

“The Gator Black Zirconium grit is made with zirconium oxide one of the hardest manmade materials available,” said Gary Carter, Marketing Director for Ali Industries. “People know it as cubic zirconium, the next best thing to diamonds. Our Black Zirconium has that diamond-like quality, it is much sharper and much harder than the standard aluminum oxide sandpaper grits, so it cuts faster and holds its cutting edge longer.”

We Put Gator Ultra Power Sandpaper To The Test

We were pretty excited to try the new Gator Ultra Power Premium Sandpaper based on our experiences with the Gator Hook & Look Sandpaper Review. For our testing we used a 5″ orbital sander and several pieces of Southern Yellow Hard Pine. We compared the new 120 Grit Gator Ultra Power Sandpaper to an industry standard 120 grit sandpaper. Basically we sanded two pieces of Southern Yellow Pine (1×6, 24 inches long), one was sanded with the Gator Ultra and the other with our standard sandpaper.

Test Results and Product Review

The first thing that became apparent to us during the test was how much quicker the Gator Ultra sands. The Gator sandpaper seems to “bite” much quicker, easier and efficiently which resulted in sanding the board at least twice (if not three times) faster than the board we sanded with standard sandpaper. We actually were not surprised that it would out-perform standard sandpaper based on our previous experience with Gator sanding products. However, we were surprised at how much quicker the Gator Ultra is.

The second thing we noticed between the new Gator Ultra and our standard sandpaper was how much tougher the paper is on the Gator Ultra. As you can see in the photo the Gator Ultra edges stood up to the sanding much better than the standard piece of sandpaper. This is a nice feature because often times the edges start to tear before the sandpaper is consumed which requires pre-mature changing.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is quite simple for this test and review. Gator Ultra Power Premium Sandpaper is definitely quicker and more rugged. Gator Ultra Power Sandpaper is the best sandpaper we’ve ever used or tested. We recommend you test Gator Ultra Power Premium Sandpaper yourself and we’re convinced you’ll agree with us.

Product Availability

Gator Ultra Power Premium Series sandpaper with Black Zirconium is available at Home Centers and Hardware Stores, and comes in 3” x 18”, 3” x 21”, 2-1/2” x 14” and 6” x 48” belts; PSA or Hook & Loop for 5” orbital sanders; 8”, 9” and 12” discs for stationary belt/disc sanders and in hook & loop for the Mouse Detail Sander™, Mega Mouse Detail Sander™, and the Porter Cable® Profile Detail Sander. It is also available in 1/2, 1/3 and 1 /4 Sheets for hand or power sanding with clamps.

To learn more about the Gator Ultra Power Premium Series sandpaper with Black Zirconium, please visit www.gatorfinishing.com, and to find a retailer near you, call 1-800-255-4748.

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

View Comments

  • This is good to know. I gave up on the regular gator sand paper that is sold at the big box stores a long time ago. “Shop Smith” is far superior than the regular gator sandpaper. Last over twice as long and is more durable. But now they have gotten red of Shop Smith and going with a larger section of the junk Gator stuff!! Go figure you find something worth bragging about and it goes away. Hopefully this black Gator is truly better than the junk red stuff! Thanks for the review!

  • Just used red gator grit and it came apart in the belt sand while I adjusted the sander, it did not even touch the wood this stuff is crap.looked at a new belt and it was coming apart before I even purchased it so do not purchase this stuff. Unfortunately all the belts look like harbour freight belts made in China crap

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Todd Fratzel

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