As a nail technician, nail files are part of your everyday tool kit and knowing which one's which and what's for what is essential.
The Nitty Gritty
Nail files come in lots of different grits and the higher the number the softer the grit. The main grits used in the nail industry are, 240, 180, 150 and 100.
240 and 180grit files are used to file the natural nail; with the 180 grit file being used during prep to file off the shine on the nail plate before applying products. The 180 is also used during the finishing process to create the correct surface for either top coat or gel polish over acrylic, BIAB or hard gel. If you use a softer grit file, say the 240, for either of these processes you may smooth the nail too much and the products won't stick! Remember, you're not buffing to a smooth finish, you're etching to create a key. The 180 grit file is also gritty enough to shape and refine BIAB and hard gel. If you want to remove BIAB or hard gel you may want to start with a 100 or 150grit and then swap to a 180 when you get closer to the natural nail and for around the cuticle.
For acrylic, the 100 or 150grit files are needed for de-bulking, shaping, removing and just about everything other than the prep and finishing when you would be using the 180.
Hygiene
A lot of nail techs are now using metal file boards with paper strips that stick to the metal. (I've included a couple of links below for these). The strips can be bought in various different grits. For an acrylic service I usually have my metal file board set up with a 100grit stuck on one side and a 180grit on the other side; for BIAB and hard gel I just have the 180grit. After each client I peel off the strips, throw them away and disinfect the metal board. I have a few metal boards so there is always a clean one ready to go. If you keep files specifically for each client so they only get used for that client, make sure, as time goes on, your 180grit file isn't being filed away and getting smoother and smoother.
File Note
File edges are sharp! so don't forget to "season" your file edge against another file before you start!
https://glitterbels.com/products/metal-file-board
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