My Fiancé and myself have been decorating on and off since we moved into our home 18 months ago. I recently needed some sandpaper and picked some up in my local Tesco while I was shopping. I wasn't sure what it would be like as it was Tesco Value sandpaper and cost just 59p for 10 sheets.

The sandpaper comes in just a thin card packet. Its mainly white in colour with just a red band across the front. Above this the Tesco Value logo is displayed and through the red banner in white letter it says Sandpaper 10 Assorted grades. There is a little cut out on the front of the packet in the shape of a house so you can see and feel the sandpaper inside.
The back of the pack is coloured red and white and has the instructions for use and some warnings written on it in several languages.

The sandpaper sheets are approximately 20cm's x 20cm's, quite small compared to some brands but after all it was only 59 pence, and for that small amount of money you get the following:-

2 x P100 sheets --This is a fine grade sandpaper designed for smoothing bare wood before painting or staining.
4 x P80 sheets----This is a medium grade sandpaper designed also for smoothing bare wood and some varnish/paint
4 x P60 sheets----This is a course sandpaper and will sand away paint etc, with a little elbow grease of course.

The grades are printed all over the back of the sandpaper sheets so you know which one you are using but to be honest its easy enough to feel whether its course or fine. Now we are no experts when it comes to DIY but the value sandpaper seemed of a reasonable quality to us. It was quite thick and as long as it didn't fall to pieces at the first rub I was sure it would be the bargain I thought it was!

We had some paintwork and walls to rub down and the value sandpaper did an excellent job on both. It lasted reasonably well and took quite tough sanding before it wore out. I'm also pleased to note that it didn't at any time fall to pieces. In my opinion it did a good job and sanded the woodwork and walls down to a fine smooth surface ready for painting.

The sheets are a bit smaller than other brands but when compared to Homebase Value Sandpaper which is 23cm's x 28cm's and costs £2.78 for a pack of 5 assorted sheets it certainly seems very good value for money.
So, in conclusion I would recommend the Tesco Value Sandpaper, it gets the job done, its very reasonably priced and far easier than crushing seeds and shells then mixing with sand and bonding them to parchment as the Chinese did back in the 13th century.

I'm sure a qualified decorator or carpenter would appreciate a better quality sandpaper but for your average D.I.Y'er this is good enough.