Scratches that are deep enough to expose metal cannot be resolved through wet sanding alone. Wet sanding primarily repairs damage to the top layers of paint and clear coat.
If the damage to the paint is light, skip the 1200 or 1500 grit sandpaper and begin with 2000 or 3000 grit paper instead. If you are wet sanding a newly painted surface, you can also jump directly to the 2000 or 3000 grit paper.
Any less than 1200 grit sandpaper may produce scratches that are difficult to buff out. The higher the grit number on the sandpaper, the finer the abrasive surface.
You may also use dish soap for this application.
The width of the cut sheets will wrap around most sand paper squeegees and handles better. The strips need to be long rather than wide in order to dip half of them in water.
The halves that are soaking in the water should be completely saturated with soapy water before moving on. The dry portion will allow you to attach the sandpaper securely to your tool of choice.
Do not use an automotive soap that is also a polish or a wax. You will not need to wait for the area to dry to move on.
Depending on the area you are wet sanding, there are flat, curved, and bendable handles you can choose from. Read the instructions on the tool you opt to purchase to see how to secure the paper to it. You can buy sanding tools at most hardware and auto parts stores.
It may take a little practice to determine just how much pressure you need to apply to the sandpaper. Ease off of the sandpaper if it appears to be penetrating beyond the clear coat or damaging the paint.
Uneven sanding can be difficult to identify while you work, but may be apparent in the final product. Be careful not to increase pressure when changing angles or directions. The color in the paint should bleed into the water and tint it slightly. If the water gets any darker, you are sanding too hard.
As the sandpaper gets dry, it will produce heat which can burn the paint. If you burn the paint, you may need to have that component of the body repainted. Swap sheets of sandpaper out for new soaked ones as they sandpaper becomes worn out or too soggy to use.
Take frequent breaks to combat fatigue. Be careful not to scratch the paint with the handle of the tool or one of the edges the sandpaper is wrapped around.
If the damage you are trying to repair is light, you can do only this step. Remember to keep the area completely wet as you sand with this paper.
Touch the area with your hand to ensure there is no soapy residue left behind.
You can use a towel to dry the area, but allow any remaining moisture to air dry completely before moving forward. You may use a hair dryer or other heat source to expedite the drying.
With the buffer running, rotate it in circles as it spins. Applying too much pressure can burn the paint, so start light and apply more pressure if need be to rub in the compound.
You may want to wash and wax the entire vehicle to ensure no dust or debris from the wet sanding remains on the vehicle when you’re done. Waxing the car will protect the paint and create a more brilliant shine.
