Wet Sanding a Car: Benefits, Process, and FAQs

Wet sanding is the process of using sandpaper and lubricant like water to remove or smoothen marks, uneven paint, and other inconsistencies on a vehicle’s finish.

Rubbing sandpaper alone could leave shallow scratches on the paint job, making it look dull and uneven. Wet sanding prevents this, as the lubricant prevents scratches and washes away the particles left by the sandpaper, leaving a smooth finish.

Wet sanding can level scratches by removing the fine layer around them. When done right, it leaves a clean-looking and mark-free surface.

Benefits of Wet Sanding Your Car

Besides removing scratches, wet sanding helps you restore marked paint jobs, make polishing your ride easier, and save money:

Restores Car Paint

Some newly painted cars develop “orange peel,” wherein a part of the surface deforms or looks uneven. Orange peels usually appear when the paint unevenly settles and forms bumps or gaps. Wet sanding removes these blemishes on the paint job.

Makes Polishing Easier

Wet sanding gets rid of minor scratches and damages, which makes polishing your vehicle easier. With the small scratches gone, the polishing process becomes simpler because you’ll only have to focus on adding shine and depth back to the weathered paint.

Pro Tip: Use a polishing liquid to flatten the paint’s clear coat, then wax it for that extra shine and protection.

Saves Money

Removing minor scratches will usually cost somewhere between $100 and $300, depending on the auto body shop. Wet sanding could save you money if you do it yourself.

DIY wet sanding could also save you time. Repair shops can get quite busy, so unless you have an appointment, it might take hours before professionals can tend to your vehicle. You essentially skip the line if you do it yourself.

In addition, doing it yourself could cost you more money if you don’t do it right because you could damage the car and end up with a heftier bill.

How to Wet Sand a Car

Before you wet sand your car, prepare the following items:

• Sandpaper
• Water
• Rubber squeegee
• Cleaning solution
• Microfiber towel
• Polishing compound
• Sponge

Once you have everything on hand, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Examine the scratches you want to smoothen to determine the type of sandpaper you’ll use. For shallow scratches, use 2000 or 3000-grit sandpapers. Choose 1200 or 1500-grit variants for deeper marks.

Grit signifies the rating size of the materials on the sandpaper. The higher the number, the finer the abrasive. 3000 is best for minor scratches because they create smoother surface finishes.

• Step 2: Clean the surface using a sponge and a car cleaning solution to remove dirt and grime. This step ensures you won’t push the dirt into the scratches when sanding, which could damage the surface.

Dry the surface with a microfiber towel, then check for any remaining residue. Wash and dry it again if necessary.

• Step 3: Cut the sandpaper in half (lengthwise) to fit the rubber squeegee. Soak the bottom half in water for a few minutes and leave the top half dry to make it easier to attach the sandpaper.

Wrap the sandpaper around the squeegee to ensure better grip and control.

• Step 4: Lightly sand the area. Don’t put extra pressure while rubbing to avoid removing too much of the paint. One way to tell if you’re using excessive force is if the water in the spot darkens due to burning.

Burning means you’ve removed the clear coat and are sanding the color coat. Ensure the sandpaper remains wet or spray water onto the surface regularly to avoid unnecessary friction.

• Step 5: Rinse the area with clean water to remove debris. Let your vehicle dry naturally, but don’t let it sit under sunlight. Doing so boils off water and could burn away the top layer of the paint job (clear coat).

Without it, the paint job won’t have any protection against dirt and may even lose its shine.

FAQs About Wet Sanding a Car

Here are the answers to the questions people frequently ask about this process.

How Much Do Experts Charge to Wet Sand a Car?

The cost of wet sanding a car depends on the shop. Most shops charge by the hour, so the final bill depends on how big your vehicle is, how large the affected area is, and how long it takes to remove or smoothen the scratches.

Also, expect experts to wax your vehicle to add that extra protection against dirt. Waxing is generally priced somewhere between $50 and $150 (or more), so expect the total cost of waxing to be over $150.

Can You Wet Sand a Recently Painted Car?

It’s advised to wait at least a month before wet sanding a newly-painted car. Paint needs at least 30 days to fully harden and cure. As such, using something as rough as sandpaper may damage your ride’s new look.