Choosing the Best Sandpaper: What Grit of Sandpaper for Car Paint Repairs Is Right for Your Needs?

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Paint doesn't hide defects: It exaggerates them! No matter how glossy a new paint repair is, if the surface isn't perfectly smooth underneath the paint, it will show every defect. The best way to eliminate defects is to smooth the surface through automotive sanding with sandpaper of assorted grits.

What Grit of Sandpaper for Car Paint Is Best?

Sandpaper comes in dozens of textures, or grits, and each is made with a different coarseness to suit different auto paint repair jobs, so the best choice will vary. Sandpaper grit for auto paint ranges from rough grits (40- to 100-grit) to finer grits (180- to 600-grit) to extra-fine grits (1,000- to 2,000-grit). The lower-grit sandpaper is best for removing a lot of excess material, like body filler, quickly and easily. Finer-grit sandpaper is best for refining the surface and hiding the repair by seamlessly blending it into the surrounding bodywork. Extra-fine-grit sandpaper on waterproof paper allows the grit to clean itself when used with water. This gives the grit more bite on each pass and allows for very fine surface polishing and the removal of blemishes in primer, the color coat, and even the clear coat.

AutomotiveTouchup sandpaper is made of the finest-quality materials for long life and good abrasion, far better than the car body sandpaper you'll find at the big-box hardware store. We offer a full range of wet and dry grits you'll need to make every step of your automotive paint project a success.

Choose the Best Sandpaper for Car Paint by Use

Grit How It's Used
Dry Grits Dry sanding only
File with holder Used for rough-shaping body filler as it cures
40 grit The roughest grit we carry, used for very rough sanding/grinding before body work
80 grit Used to strip paint from metal or for rough sanding of body filler
Wet or Dry Grits For wet or dry sanding; available in waterproof and non-waterproof sheets
180 grit A finer grit used for final sanding and feather-edging body filler
320 grit For final polishing sanding before the primer coat; also works well on spot putty
400 grit Used for rough-sanding primer or fine-sanding spot putty
600 grit Used for final sanding of primer before applying the base coat
Wet Grits Designed for wet sanding but can also be used dry
1,000 grit Used to sand down existing paint to be repainted
1,200 grit A fine-cleaning grit to wet-sand a panel before repainting it
1,500 grit An extra-fine grit used for wet-sanding the clear coat to remove defects before paint polishing; can substitute for 1,000- or 1,200-grit for sanding before repainting
2,000 grit Ultra-fine grit used wet that pre-polishes the surface before buffing and polishing with polishing compound

What Grit of Sandpaper Is for Wet-Sanding Car Paint?

For wet-sanding car paint, use fine-grit sandpaper, ranging between 1,000 and 2,000, specifically designed for wet sanding. Wet-sanding is typically done to remove minor imperfections, smooth out a painted surface, or prepare it for polishing. Ultra-fine sandpaper, 2,000-grit and above, can be used to smooth out the surface to a near-perfect finish, eliminating very fine imperfections and swirl marks, and achieve a high-gloss shine before buffing.

Tips for Wet-Sanding Car Paint

  • Use Plenty of Water: Wet-sanding requires a constant supply of water to keep the surface lubricated, which prevents clogging of the sandpaper and reduces the risk of scratching.
  • Work Slowly and Gently: Wet-sanding requires a light touch. Avoid using too much pressure to prevent cutting too deep into the paint or clear coat.
  • Keep the Surface Clean: Continuously wipe down the surface to check your progress and ensure that no grit is left that could cause scratches.