Endless abrasive belt and method of making the same

An endless abrasive belt comprising:

• a nonwoven three-dimensional layer comprising an open, lofty web of crimped synthetic fibers that are adhesively bonded substantially at points of mutual contact with a binder material, the binder material comprising a plurality of abrasive particles, the non-woven layer having abutted first and second ends;
• a continuous polymeric layer attached to and substantially covering one major surface of the scrim except for regions adjacent the first and second ends having first and second major surface areas, respectively;
• a cloth strip adhesively attached to the first and second major surface areas to secure the first and second ends together, the cloth strip having an outer major surface;
• and
• a polymeric strip adhesively attached to and substantially covering the outer major surface of the cloth tape.