>>6503048It was probably not an ingenious idea to wash sanding sticks in water. Sandpaper is essentially sand glued to paper, and while the sand doesn't mind the water, the paper and the glue are both things that could potentially turn to mush.
There are special types of sandpaper that are designed for "wet sanding", it's just like normal sanding, except you put water on the part so it mixes with the grit and creates a different (smoother) sanding behaviour. That type of sandpaper will be made with a type of glue and a type of backing that is OK with water.
Other than that, in my experience any sandpaper is for the most part like any other sandpaper. Whether it's sold in tiny pieces by a name brand like Tamiya, or in large sheets at the hardware store for a much lower price. There are slight differences, but you'll just have to try them out and find the ones you like.
There are some slight differences in the surface left by abrasive tools. I have a set of needle files that I use for rough shaping and such, and it tends to leave a very flat-ish surface, whereas sandpaper, with all its millions of little grains of sand, will of course leave a streaked washboard surface.
