You should not sand tempered glass. Tempered glass is specifically designed to shatter into small, relatively harmless pieces when broken or significantly altered. Sanding it risks compromising its integrity and causing it to shatter unexpectedly.
Why You Shouldn't Sand Tempered Glass
- Compromised Strength: The tempering process creates internal stresses within the glass. Sanding removes material, disrupting this stress balance and weakening the glass significantly.
- Shattering Hazard: Once weakened, the glass can shatter spontaneously, posing a safety risk due to flying glass shards.
- Ineffectiveness: Because of its inherent properties, tempered glass is much harder to sand than regular glass, making it an inefficient process to begin with.
Alternatives to Sanding Tempered Glass
If you need to modify tempered glass, consider these alternatives before the tempering process:
- Cutting: Tempered glass cannot be cut. If the glass needs to be a different size or shape, it must be cut before it is tempered.
- Drilling: Similar to cutting, any holes need to be drilled before tempering.
- Edge Polishing/Seaming: If you're looking to smooth the edges, this should be done before tempering.
What if You Absolutely Need to Smooth an Edge?
While strongly discouraged, if you need to very slightly ease a sharp edge after tempering (perhaps a tiny chip), proceed with extreme caution and understand the risks:
- Safety First: Wear safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask.
- Wet Sanding: Use wet/dry sandpaper (80-grit to start) and keep the area constantly wet.
- Light Pressure: Apply minimal pressure. The goal is to slightly round the edge, not remove significant material.
- Hand Sanding: Avoid power tools; hand sanding gives you better control.
- Inspection: Regularly inspect the glass for any signs of stress or cracking. If you notice any, stop immediately.
- Accept Imperfection: Be aware that you may not achieve a perfectly smooth edge, and continuing may increase the risk of shattering.
Important Disclaimer: Attempting to sand tempered glass is at your own risk. We are not responsible for any injuries or damages that may occur.
