The wet sanding touch up paint is great at providing an even coat, giving your vehicle a new look.
Besides the beautiful “orange peel” effect, it also has applications in restoring the touchup paint shine and removing scratches.
But beware: Going wrong in this process can make your car’s original paint a mess! Take the time to read our article to get the most detailed instructions before embarking on the process.
Wet Sanding Touch Up Paint- Detailed Guide
Whether you are an experienced driver or not, wet sand touch up paint is always difficult, as it requires many stages of execution and meticulous care.
If you are confident you can do this job well without the intervention of professional mechanics, then don’t miss any step in our guide below!
Part 1. Preparing Before Wet Sand
Wet sanding is extremely suitable for restoring the original shine to the coat paint layers, especially when scratches and peeling occur.
However, deep scratches reaching the metal part of the body are certainly not something it can fix.
Before proceeding with wet sanding a car, you need to complete all the steps required in the preparation section listed below:
Step 1: Choose The Suitable Sandpaper
You must choose a suitable grit paper depending on the paint’s real damage. Transparent paint with severe damage will have more demanding requirements than one with light grit scratches.
The sandpaper for car paint touch up with a higher grit number can serve a better abrasive effect.
If you need to sand a freshly painted surface, 2000 and 3000-grit sandpaper will be the ideal choice. Meanwhile, 1200, and 1500-grit products are more suitable for light scratches.
Step 2: Prepare A Cleaning Solution
First, please prepare a full bucket of water and soap mixture. Never use car soaps (such as polish or wax) unless you want to fail in this initial step.
Dish soap is such a perfect choice for this mission, instead.
Step 3: Cut And Soak The Sandpaper
Remove the sandpaper from the packet, and cut the sandpaper sheets in half lengthwise. Because of the rough material of these products, it is best to use heavy-duty scissors.
Once the cut is complete, the width of these cut sheets will be used to surround the sandpaper squeegees for handling.
In addition, cutting the sandpaper vertically is also more convenient for dipping and using.
After 5 minutes of soaking in the soapy water solution, you need to pull the sandpaper sheets up and wring them across the sides of the bucket so that only half is left in the soapy water.
Wait patiently for another 5 minutes, and you are done preparing for wet sanding auto paint.
Part 2. Wet Sanding Your Vehicle
Before entering this part, don’t forget to prepare some soft dry cloth and a clean water tap. And now, let’s get to work!
Step 1: Wash and Dry
First, remove all dirt or foreign matter clinging to the surface you will be working on.
Use a sponge and regular car soap to clean the paint’s surface, then rinse thoroughly with clean running water and use a clean cloth to dry them all.
Note: This step completely prohibits car soaps, such as wax and polish.
Step 2: Wet Sand
No matter your skill, the space between your fingers can reach an uneven surface. Please wrap the wet sandpaper around a handle, sandpaper squeegee, or handle.
It will help if you choose the appropriate curved, flat, or bendable handle, depending on the working position.
Carefully read the instructions on the tool of choice, as it will guide you on effectively fixing the sandpaper.
Please start with the well-soaked pieces of grit paper and sand touch up paint in circular orbits. Adjust the strength of your hand so that it does not affect the clear coat.
Move the sandpaper in different directions to ensure all surfaces receive even care. When the wet sanded part appears in dark water, it shows that your hand pressure is too strong.
If the sandpaper becomes drier, you must promptly dip them in a bucket or pour soapy water directly onto the surface.
Once they become worn or soggy, please remove them and replace them with new sandpaper sheets.
Step 3: Wash And Dry Again
After you’re satisfied with the wet sanding process, use the tap to wash away all debris and soapy water from the paint’s surface.
Utilize your hands to check directly until you can no longer feel the soap residue.
Park the car in a shady place and use a soft cloth to dry the car. Do not expose your vehicle to direct sunlight, adversely affecting the car’s paintwork.
Instead, you can use other heat sources, such as a hair dryer.
Step 4: polish The Area
This step process requires you to polish the paint with the rubbing compound and a buffer. Rotate the buffer in a circular orbit with moderate hand force for the best effect.
Step 5: Wax The Area
High-quality car wax is a protective layer of car paint surface under external forces and weather.
Besides, it also helps paint colors stick longer and reduce the speed of paint fading. After waxing all freshly wet sanded surfaces, you’re done!
When Can I Wet Sand My Paint?
There’s no strict time barrier to sanding so you can do the job anytime.
However, it is recommended to wet sanding after the paint touch-up job for at least about a month so that the paint can cure completely.
Some Last Words
While the wet sanding touch up paint process involves many steps and requires a lot of expertise, it’s not just for professional mechanics!
You can also do it successfully at home, saving money and providing a fun weekend car care experience.
Wet sanding offers a “new set of clothes” for your four-wheeled friend, and it sure loves this gift. Therefore, take good care of this coating with regular washing and maintenance. Good luck!