Do you ever feel like you’re battling your own manicure? That beautiful gel polish you love can turn into a stubborn enemy when it’s time for removal. Peeling, chipping, and soaking for what feels like forever—we’ve all been there. The promise of a long-lasting, chip-free look often hides the real struggle of getting that gel off cleanly.
Choosing the correct nail file is the secret weapon in this removal battle, but the sheer variety can be overwhelming. Should you use a coarse grit? A fine buffer? Using the wrong tool can damage your natural nails, leading to weakness and peeling. It’s frustrating to invest time and money in a perfect gel set only to ruin your nail health during removal.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what grit sizes you need and why they matter for safe, effective gel polish removal. By the end of this post, you will know precisely which file to grab to save your nails time and stress. Keep reading to master the art of filing gel polish like a pro!
Top Nail File To Remove Gel Polish Recommendations
- Multifunctional Nail Drill Kit: With adjustable various speeds and 6 different nail drill bits, COSLUS C40 electric nail file can polish or remove acrylic, gel, and dip powder nails, as well as tackle thick nails and cuticle dead skin
- Easy to Use, Even for Beginners：Even beginners can use COSLUS C40 nail drill machine with ease. The pen-shaped design and lightweight, compact body make it easy to hold and control the speed and direction. Choose the appropriate speed and rotation for your needs, and enjoy a manicure or pedicure
- Durable, Low Noise and Low Heat: COSLUS C40 electric nail drill is durable, low noise, and low heat. Equipped with an upgraded motor, it's powerful, quiet, and has good heat dissipation function that extends its service life
- Lightweight & Portable: Take this lightweight and portable nail drill kit with you wherever you go. It's easy to use, so you can do your nail artwork anytime, anywhere
- For Nail-loving: COSLUS C40 electric nail drill kit is a good choice for your friends who love nail art. It includes 6 different nail drill bits and 31 sanding bands to meet their different needs
- Buy in Bulk : Each pack contains 10 black straight nail files
- Double Sided : With 100/180 Grit. Designed with a rounded top and double-sided functionality, they feature sandpaper on the surface and foam at the mid-level
- Reusable : These nail files can be used many times
- Product Usage Instructions: The 100 grit side is relatively coarse, while the 180 grit side is finer. For the difference in usage between these two sides, please refer to the third to fifth images on our detail page.
- The dimensions of a single piece are 179mm in length, 19mm in width, and 4mm in thickness
- MULTIPLE USEGE - 10Pcs high grit nail files great for filing nails before nail treatment and nail extension. Ideal for your natural, artificial and extension nails, manicure and pedicure, also for your pet nail grooming
- SALON QUALITY - Our rough and coarse nail file kit made of top quality adhesive tape and emery board material, can help you trim nails for desired shape, it's one of those must-haves manicure tools if you are doing your nails at home and nails salon
- PREMIUM MANICURE SET - It meet most of your needs, a must-have in professional nail salons and DIY nail art, you can also enjoy make nail art with family together. Our manicure tools set fit for girls or women who like nail art, also a best gift for girls who love nail art
- 10PCS DOUBLE SIDED NAIL FILER - 100 and 180 double sided grit, 100 grit is more rough to shaping and filing when you have to get a lot of bulk off, 180 grit is good for smooth to mild filing and smoothing up your nail edge
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED – Treamlyn Team strives for 100% customer satisfaction for you. If there are any problems with our products, contact us and we would be very happy to solve your problems
- Materials: Nail files are made with high-quality adhesive tape and emery board materials. Designed with double-sided functionality, these sturdy nail files provide a comfortable nail care experience.
- Size: These essential nail art tools come in a set of 12 pieces, each measuring 7 x 1.10 x 0.17 inches.
- Make up：Must Have in Salons and Home- nail files are great for all your filing needs, Nails, Hobbies, Crafts. Must have in professional salons and diy nail art at home. A terrific gift for girls who love nail art as birthday gift, Christmas gift & Halloween Gift.
- Washable & Reusable ：Quick & Easy to clean & water resistant due to that the 100/180 Nail Files are made with quality adhesive tape and emery board materials.
- Multiple Uses: Nail shaping, nail grooming, nail styling and nail polishing can be used on your fingernails, toenails, natural nails, acrylic nails and false nails to make your nails more natural and beautiful.
- PC120I Multifunctional USB Nail Drill Kit: Comes with 20,000RPM powerful rotary motor and 3/32” mental nail drill bits, this electric nail file can be used for all-around shaping, buffing, grinding, polishing, removing for acrylic nails, poly gel nails, artificial extension nails, thick nails, builder gel, dip powder, fake nails, natural nails, and cuticle dead skin.
- Low Heat & Low Noise & Low Vibration: This USB nail drill machine is built of a powerful yet quiet motor with smart heat dissipation, keep the machine in low heat, low noise, and low vibration while using it. (Make sure let the machine rest after 20 minutes continuous use)
- Adjustable Speed & Direction: With adjustable speed 0-20,000rpm and F/R direction function, easy to use this nail efile with one control button, suitable for right-handed or left-handed use. Work well for both professionals and beginners, cutting your time in half.
- Portable & Durable: Compact design makes it so lightweight to carry out, you can do the nail artwork anytime anywhere you want.
- Easy to Use: Professional for home salon use, or travel, just connect the USB power cable to start working. High efficiency and stable performance ensure the long working life of this portable USB nail drill.
- What A Professional Nail File Set: Teenitor 6pcs Nail File and Buffer Set contains up to 9 different grits files, more choice, more professional. Compare with 4 side buffing block, our nail files set will fine smoothing your nail and provide you excellent salon experience, sturdy and can last for a long time use
- 150/180/240 Nail Files for Acrylic Nails Gel Nails & Natural Nails: File - Start with this STEP 1 to trim your nails to desired length or shapes like Oval, Square, Squoval, Round, Almond, fit for fingernail & toenail. You can also use them to remove top coat of gel nails and acrylic nails(Tips: 150 grit is rough, 180 grit is medium and 240 grit is fine)
- 100/180 & 220/280 Nail Buffer Blocks for Natural Nails: Smooth & Buff - Continue with this STEP 2 to smooth and remove nail ridges, reduce scratches by 100/180 grit nail file buffer, buff nail surface for a finer finish by 220/280 buffing block
- 1000/4000 Grit Nail Filer to Get Shine Nails: Shine - Finish with this STEP 3 to further smooth the nails by 1000 grit side(green side), polish nail surface to create a high gloss shine in seconds by 4000 girt side(white side), which can last one week
- These Emery Boards for Nails Also A Great Choice for Women: Teenitor Nail Files Set are made of emery board and EVC, sturdy and easy to clean, could be rinsed with antibacterial soap & disinfect. A terrific choice for girls, women or elder who love nail care to exchange or sent in Birthday, Valentines Mother's Day, Christmas& Halloween
- 1.5h Charge, 7h Use: TUOBEO electric nail drill kit is designed for ultimate convenience, allowing you to enjoy salon-quality manicures and pedicures anytime, anywhere. With its long-lasting 650 mAh battery life offers an impressive 7 hours of continuous use after a 1.5-hour charge, ensuring you have ample time for your nail care routine. Its lightweight and compact design ensures it fits easily into your purse or carry-on bag, so you never have to compromise on nail care
- Versatility and Customization: This cordless acrylic nail kit comes with a variety of attachments, including 11 different high-quality drill bits and 56 sanding bands, brush and dust-proof cap, catering to all your manicure and pedicure needs. Allows you to customize these tool to your preferences, meets all your need for buffering, grinding, sharpening, sanding, polishing acrylic, gel nails, removing extension gels, cuticle and dead skin. Making it suitable for both beginners and professionals
- Powerful Motor: Equipped with a 20,000 RPM motor, the adjustable speed control, ranging from 0 to 20,000 RPM, TUOBEO electric nail drill kit is designed to be low vibration, low heat, and low noise, providing a comfortable and efficient nail care experience. The high-quality bearings and smart heat dissipation system ensure that your nails are treated gently, reducing the risk of damage or overheating. This makes our nail drill ideal for use on natural nails, acrylics, gels, and even extensions
- Adjustable Speed & Direction: TUOBEO gel nail polish remover machine features 3-speed adjustable settings. Whether you're working on delicate natural nails, gel nail, dip powder nail or tougher acrylics, you can find the perfect speed for a precise and efficient nail treatment. The forward and reverse rotation options further enhance its versatility, ensuring you can achieve the perfect nail shape and finish with ease. We provide our customers with 24 hours technical support and 5-year warranty
- Professional Portable: The nail filer electric features an ergonomic design and lightweight body ensure that you can maneuver the tool with precision, making it easy to control even for extended periods. The easy-to-use speed and direction controls are intuitive, allowing both left-handed and right-handed users to achieve professional results with minimal effort. Whether you're at home or on trip, you can keep your nails looking salon-perfect without the need for lengthy cords or bulky equipment
- Complete Nail Care Kit: Our nail filing kit, including professional nail files and buffers, limas para unas acrilicas profesional, guarantees your nails are always in perfect shape. These manicure kit work quickly to trim the acrylic nail with your desired shape or length and shine your nails as you wish. Keep your nails looking perfect with this all-in-one solution, ideal for soft nail files, nail buffers, and acrylic nail files and buffers alike.
- Different Grit Levels: Our nail file and buffer set offer various grit options, ensuring you have everything you need for flawless nail care. From soft nail files (150/180/240 grits) to a high-quality nail filer and buffer set (1000/4000 grits), these nail buffers include EDGE 150 grit Cushioned Board, EDGE 180 grit Cushioned Board, EDGE grit 240 Cushioned Board, FLEX 100/180 grit Buffer, FLEX 220/280 grit buffer, FLEX 1000/4000 grit Shine butter.
- Upgraded Materials for Durable and Precise Nail Care: Expertly crafted with top-quality materials of emery board and sandpaper, these nail files and buffers are built to last and deliver precise results as you expected. Each nail file in the nail filer and buffer set with different grit provides you a comfortable nail care experience. Whether you're a seasoned nail technician or a beginner, our nail file and buffer set consistently deliver salon-quality results.
- Wide Usage and Easy Maintenance: Our nail buffer file set is a breeze to clean and maintain, washable, reusable, ensuring they remain in top condition. Compact and lightweight, they are perfectly portable for travel or home use. Whether you want to remove gel nails, shape acrylic nails, extended nail, fake nails, buff and shine natural nails, this nail filing kit has you covered. It is also an awesome gift for those who love nail art DIY as birthday gift, Christmas gift or other holiday gift.
- What You Get: You'll receive a set of 6 grit nail files, each equipped with double-sided 150/150, 180/180, 240/240, 100/180, 220/180, 1000/4000 grit from HomeyEra. We have full confidence in the superior quality of our nail files. Treat yourself to the pleasure from top-tier professional nail files.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Nail File for Gel Polish Removal
Removing gel polish at home can be tricky. You need the right tool to safely take off that stubborn layer without damaging your natural nails. A good nail file makes all the difference. This guide helps you pick the perfect one.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a file designed to tackle gel polish, look closely at these important features.
Grit Rating: The Magic Number
The grit rating tells you how rough the file is. Lower numbers mean a rougher file. Higher numbers mean a smoother file.
- For Initial Gel Removal: You need a coarse grit, usually between 80 and 100. This quickly files down the thick top layers of gel.
- For Shaping and Buffing: After the bulk is gone, switch to a finer grit, like 180 or 240, to smooth the edges.
Durability and Shape
The file must hold up against tough gel. Look for files that resist bending. Standard straight files work well for flat surfaces. Curved or banana-shaped files help you file around the cuticle area without scratching your skin.
2. Important Materials
The material of the file affects how long it lasts and how effectively it removes gel.
Emery Boards vs. Metal Files
Most effective gel removal files are emery boards. These have a stiff core covered in abrasive grit.
- Core Material: Sturdy cardboard or thin wood cores are common. A thicker core prevents the file from snapping in half while you press down on hard gel.
- Abrasive Surface: High-quality files use durable aluminum oxide or silicon carbide grit. These materials cut through the gel faster than standard nail files.
Sanitizable Options
If you plan to reuse the file many times, consider glass or crystal files. While they remove gel slower, you can clean and sanitize them easily. However, for the heavy lifting of gel removal, emery boards are usually faster.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all files perform the same way. Pay attention to these quality indicators.
Improved Quality Factors
- Double-Sided Design: A file with 100 grit on one side and 180 grit on the other gives you versatility in one tool.
- Strong Adhesion: The abrasive material should stick firmly to the core. If the grit flakes off after one use, the file quality is low.
Reduced Quality Factors
Cheap files often fall apart quickly. If the file feels flimsy or bends too easily, it will make removing thick gel polish much harder. Poorly glued grit will wear down almost instantly.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the file.
At-Home Users
If you remove gel polish occasionally, a multi-pack of sturdy 100/180 grit files is a great choice. They are inexpensive and disposable after heavy use.
Salon Professionals
Professionals need files that handle constant, heavy work. They often choose files with a rigid, non-bending core and very high grit adhesion for consistent results.
Pro Tip: Always file in one direction, not back and forth like sawing wood. This prevents tearing your natural nail underneath the gel layer.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Gel Polish Removal Files
Q: Can I use a regular nail file to remove gel polish?
A: You can try, but it will take a very long time. Gel is much harder than regular polish, so you need a file with a lower grit number (like 100 grit) designed for artificial nails.
Q: What grit is best for starting the gel removal process?
A: A grit between 80 and 100 is best for quickly filing off the top layers of the hard gel coating.
Q: Should I soak my nails before filing the gel off?
A: No. Filing works best when the gel is completely dry. Soaking can soften your natural nail, making it easier to accidentally damage it while filing.
Q: How do I know if the file is too rough for my nails?
A: If the file causes heat or makes your natural nail feel sensitive or tender, it is too rough or you are pressing too hard. Switch to a slightly higher grit (like 150).
Q: Are glass files good for gel removal?
A: Glass files are excellent for shaping and finishing natural nails. They remove gel very slowly and are not usually the first choice for removing thick layers of hard gel.
Q: How often should I replace my gel removal file?
A: If you use it heavily, replace it once the abrasive surface stops cutting effectively, usually after 3 to 5 full gel removals.
Q: Do I need a separate file for the top coat versus the base coat?
A: No. You can use the same coarse file (100 grit) for all layers of the gel until you reach your natural nail.
Q: What is the purpose of the higher grit side (e.g., 240)?
A: The higher grit side is for smoothing the nail surface after most of the gel is gone. It removes scratches left by the rougher side.
Q: Can these files damage my cuticles?
A: Yes, if you use the coarse side directly on your skin. Always hold the file parallel to the nail plate and use the edge carefully around the cuticle area.
Q: Are electric files better than manual files for gel removal?
A: Electric files (drills) are much faster and remove gel with less effort. However, manual files are safer for beginners and prevent accidental over-filing.