How to Wet Sand and Polish Paint [Beginner's Guide]

How to wet sand and polish paint. I originally released a wet sanding tutorial video back in 2013, so this is my updated version covering commonly asked questions and showing a more detailing process along with what to expect during each stage. First I will be starting out with single stage paint and in the second part of the video will be two stage paint. Wet sanding will remove orange peal, improving the clarity and imagine in the paint. It will also help remove foreign contaminants which maybe on the surface in the paint along with runs, overspray, and even paint oxidization. It can be used on both single and two stage paints. Single stage paints is a form of paint applied which is both the color and finish coat and will dry with a shiny finish. Two stage paints require a base coat which is a color and finally a clear coat which provides the final shine and protection to the base color. Wet sanding is a great way to improve a good paint job and can even be used to help improve the quality of a poorly laid paid layer. #paint #autobody #detailing
Amazon links for some of the products used in the video:
USA:
Backing pad: amzn.to/3qUc5rl
1000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/2YkJzmq
1500 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3qTem61
2000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3iWGzWX
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3omIghF
Wax and applicator kit: amzn.to/36xqYs7
Canada:
Backing pad: amzn.to/2M71Hhg
1000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/36e2fZs
1500 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3cfSJZx
2000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3pot4BF
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/36g3PKq
Wax and applicator kit: amzn.to/3sZXoF6
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Tools/Supplies Needed:
-1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper
-1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper
-2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper
-bucket of water with carwash soap
-access to a hose
-polishing compound
-soft clothes
-microfiber clothes
-backing pads (foam block, rubber pad)
Procedure:
Wait at least a week so the paint is cured, this can depend on the paint thickness and your climate. Using a bucket of water with soap added.
With the sandpaper, backing pads should be used across larger flat surfaces to provide even pressure so you don’t create waves with your fingers. I like to start out with 1000 grit. Ensure the surface is clean and wet, always pre-soak the sandpaper and then continue to sand the surface. Evenly go over the surface removing any orange peal. Always keep the surface well lubricated and rinse away any sanding material when needed.
Once done with the 1000 grit sandpaper, almost all the the orange peal should have been removed. Rinse the area, move up to 1500 grit sandpaper, again using the same process. With a single stage paint, you’ll notice the color of the paint in the sanding residue which is normal. If this was a two stage paint, you would only be sanding the clear coat and the water will only turn milky. If you are getting a color in a two stage paint, that means you sanding through the clear coat and have damaged the finish.
Moving onto 2000 grit, using the same process, at this point all the orange peal should have been removed and now you’re only left with preparing the paint for polishing, removing those course sanding marks. Darker colored paints has a higher risk of showing imperfections so it does take more time to create a flawless surface. But with that being said, those imperfection will still exist on lighter colors, they’re just harder to see.
With a polishing compound, this can be done by hand or with a machine polisher. Apply the polish to the cloth, it can be dabbed around the surface, then work it into the surface.
As you can see the paint’s shine is coming back and with the wet sanded surface, you’re left with a crisp and clear image. When polishing a touched up area, it’s best to go further back on the existing old paint so the paint will match and you won’t be left with one shiny area. This will be the final shine of the paint and when done correctly, this should maintain a shiny finish. As for a wax or other type of paint sealant, this should only be done when the paint is fully cured. Cure times for paint can be anywhere from a month or longer, this does vary between paints, weather, thickness and quality of products used.
Thank you to all those who watch my videos and support my content. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for future tutorial videos and like my video if you found it helpful. New videos are always being uploaded every week!
© 4DIYers 2013
All Rights Reserved
No part of this video or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the author.

[@4DIYers]

Amazon links for some of the products used in the video: USA: Backing pad: amzn.to/3qUc5rl 1000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/2YkJzmq 1500 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3qTem61 2000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3iWGzWX Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3omIghF Wax and applicator kit: amzn.to/36xqYs7 Canada: Backing pad: amzn.to/2M71Hhg 1000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/36e2fZs 1500 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3cfSJZx 2000 grit sandpaper: amzn.to/3pot4BF Polishing Compound: amzn.to/36g3PKq Wax and applicator kit: amzn.to/3sZXoF6

[@jordanreyesivan]

can you just go all 2000 grit and skip the 1000 and 1500?

[@Manticore2002]

This helped me so much! I had recently purchased a paint pen and unfortunately plastered far more onto my car than I had hoped for. And in a panic while not being a paint person and having my first car exponentially worsened it. Today I finally sat down with my recently purchased supplies and significantly improved my awful mistake. And this video was what allowed me to get through it. So I appreciate its existence so much!

[@4DIYers]

Happy to hear my video helped and thank you for the feedback!

[@iondjp]

Excellent! Speed was fast enough to follow without becoming impatient. Enough detail to make everything clear but without repeating and stammering. No annoying background music so the dialogue is easy to hear. Well done. Keep it up.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you very much for the kind words and feedback!

[@macdaddymac6785]

Thank You. I'm not trying to become a body guy, just want to paint and polish a bumper on a 2012 and just don't want it to look like complete dogs---! This was clear and concise, and well displayed. Thank You, Thank You. If my bumper looks anywhere near your job, I'm stoked. Keep it up.

[@4DIYers]

Happy I could help and thank you for the feedback! I have a few videos on body work too, they would help with prep if you have any questions there. It plays a big role in getting a good finish too. One specially is for fixing pealing clear coat and fender flares were used as an example. If you're working with a plastic bumper, it'll be a similar procedure. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqGQnJhrqs1paZI

[@sunsetdeathsquad]

Thank you, this is the most comprehensive explanation on wet sanding that I’ve seen.

[@SoggyBiscuits1000]

great video, nice to see someone doing single stage paint. im working on my car at the moment and having to do single stange so this is a huge help

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@chandlerchick5538]

I appreciate your explanations as to why you do it the way you do!

[@user-wv4ss2kf4d]

Well done my friend I do all cars the same way no machine Polishes, it's nice to see others doing it the way I do by hand sanding and polishing

[@4DIYers]

Thank you so much! It's a lot of work but definitely worth it. And besides, who needs a gym pass lol.

[@cakeofthepan2233]

Thankyou..doing a rust repair on a leaking windscreen and am now trying to blend it into the rest of the roof..trying!..I'm getting there:)

[@4DIYers]

Sounds like quite the project, glad I could help!

[@dennisjones245]

Loved it demo

[@jonyb4]

Appreciate this guide! Just resprayed my door was looking to the detailing steps

[@assessor1276]

Great video - very well explained!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@roberthossack286]

fantastic video, very helpful.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you :)

[@joeyv1969]

Great video, I’m currently spray bombing my kids 05 Cobalt that has pealing clear coat . I’ve been pulling out my hair trying to get it to look decent. This video helped a lot! Thanks!!

[@4DIYers]

No problem, happy to help! I also have a video covering peeling clear coat, not sure if you've seen that.

[@rifetbosnjak2685]

Very helpful video, thank you so much!

[@4DIYers]

You're very welcome!

[@HitchBmx]

Great video, thanks mate!

[@4DIYers]

My pleasure!

[@bigfordmano5]

are you a wizard haha amazing job man!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you, I really appreciate the feedback :)

[@Alex-qe2lf]

Your tutorial is extremely well done. Thank you for posting ! I am a total rookie at this but was curious why people would wet sand a paint job. Now I know. I am looking forward to applying the technique on some DIY overnight sensation speaker kit. The 9x8x6 box is made out of birch wood. I contemplated about buying a paint gun but have come to realize that it is a bit of high maintenance for two pairs of speaker boxes. I feel confident seeing you use some simple spray bottles.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you! No need to buy a paint gun, you can get really good results with aerosol cans. I would recommend using a two stage paint, get your base and then apply a clear coat. For clear, my recommendation would be 2k.

[@shaloon64]

Very informative and well explained

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@OFWGKTA423]

Very insightful! Love the detailed step by step.

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@OFWGKTA423]

@@4DIYers comepletly refinished my carbon fiber hood thanks to this video!

[@4DIYers]

Awesome to hear! You redid the clear coat I'm guessing?

[@OFWGKTA423]

@@4DIYers just wet sanded and polished. I didnt apply a new clear coat. Got 95% of the scratches out!

[@flatlandertx]

Nice video very informative

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@baggedguy]

Great video. Thank you

[@4DIYers]

Thank you!

[@4DIYers]

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[@tarun_6864]

Thank you so much :)

[@4DIYers]

You're welcome!

[@emmagrace3440]

Great video thank you! I repaired a small rust spot and painted with base coat and clear coat which I’m gonna let dry for a few weeks and I’ll extra time anyway over Christmas to shine it up! It has orange peel and I also need to carefully blend in the tape line! I was planning to wet sand with 1500, then 2000 grit. Can I move right to polish after wet sanding or do I have to wet sand THEN compound, THEN polish? I don’t need it to be totally perfect just want to get rid of the ornange peel and get a better reflection. Also after polish, do I have to apply wax? How necessary is wax? Thanks!!

[@renegademan4152]

Nice . I would like to watch on my 2006 Yukon Dinali I would like to prime it first. Then paint

[@itsyaboyr.b.5895]

Thanks

[@4DIYers]

No problem :)

[@ericthomas1724]

Nice video! I thought i screwed my paint up. But, apparently i didn’t.

[@NickRanger]

Hey. I used 1 stage on my snowmobile hood. I used 2 coats and i also wanted to clear coat it. I was wondering if i should wet sand at 2000 and then polish and then lay the clear? I don't want to clear over hazy paint after the wet sanding.

[@BillyTheSKID]

Couldnt be explained better thanks

[@Roadsurfer2k11]

A week wait per coat sand damn I don't have time for that lol. Ask any customer if they have 2 months to get a car back. I have some minor crack on paint from too much spray, but tomorow ill try 1500 sanding to smooth out. Also I discovered rustoleum clear coat immediately cracked my krylon paint, and read not to mix brands. Neverless thanks for the finishing info and paper #s

[@pigeonsil240sx]

after polishing single stage when doing this do i need to apply wax?

[@stcharleshometheater]

I can still see the line between the new paint and old paint after wet sanding, 1500 then 2000 then 3000 then 5000, then I buffed it and it's still there.. What am I doing wrong??

[@mraccord92]

awesome. What polish did you end up using? Thx

[@4DIYers]

Thank you! Meguiars Ultimate Compound, overall I've been really happy with it.

[@unproductiveworkshop]

Great video tutorial! Would it be acceptable to wait 24 hours before doing sanding under time constraints?

[@4DIYers]

Thank you! Personally I think that would be rushing it. You can do certain things to help speed up the curing process like placing whatever you painted in the sun, apply an incandescent bulb/heat lamp, or using hot air from a heat gun.

[@carljohnson4996]

@@4DIYers would the Texas sun cure the paint any faster lol I was installing a spoiler and got finger prints all over the clear coat need to sand it and polish it rn it looks like complete dog water

[@aldolizalde481]

Idk what im doing wrong honestly, after I wipe off the rubbing compound its still pretty dull and not shiny, do I need to apply more pressure?

[@carljohnson4996]

It’s been 3 months buff it with a machine and see what it does

[@daniel.pendzich]

Can anyone explain that tall rectangular metal patch between the cab and the bed where it separates? My ranger has it too, and I always though the previous owner had cut out rusted metal there until I saw this video. Is it there by design?

[@garner3384]

Daniel Pendzich if I am following your question the vertical “patch” on the bed is actually a plastic protection film. This film is applied to edges from the factory to help prevent chips from road debris.

[@4DIYers]

The one at the very bottom on the rocker? Just like Daniel said, it's a polyurethane film to protect the paint from stone chips. I will be releasing a video (still need to put it together) and that same film is used on the fender flares which needed to be removed for painting. Actually if you check out my fuel tank leak repair video, towards the end before it's installed, the same film is used but it's just cut differently.

[@daniel.pendzich]

@@garner3384 Thanks, that makes sense

[@902Steeler]

How long should I wait to wet sand/polish after clear coating?

[@tomhults5862]

10 hours at 70 F with a normal high solids clear depending on the hardener

[@hankontheroad5960]

Newbie - with 2 stage paint, are you sanding & polishing after the clearcoat?

[@4DIYers]

Yes, that is correct.

[@xperimental1974]

should the primer be sanded and or polished before the base paint applied?

[@4DIYers]

Sanded between 400-600 grit, then apply the base coat.

[@zacharyflaxbeard3936]

Question-in the two stage approach, should you be sanding both the base coat and clear coat? Or only the clear coat?

[@terryjoyce1414]

Hi great video, awaiting the reply also as just applied spray paint to ranger, also bought a clear?

[@fairchildSCR]

For a two stage job, do you sometimes need to wet sand and polish after applying the base coat (color) and then again after the clear coat? Thanks

[@4DIYers]

Some people do color sand the base coat only if there's dirt or if you're going for a show finish. But you need to be extremely careful, depending on the paint this may cause surface finish issues.

[@tomhults5862]

only solid color base can be sanded not metallic

[@nicholasesposito9754]

I have a Camaro paint is about 4 years old I've noticed some blotchy spots on my spoiler want to wet sand it to remove it can I wet sand this I've noticed the clear coat is very thin also there is some cracking on my urathane front bumber cover. Can that be wet sanded also.

[@4DIYers]

Sounds like you do have clear coat failing so the best option would be repainting it.

[@jonnnn4895]

If I want to sand my whole car just to get the contamination off what grit do I use and after what do I use to polish with ?

[@4DIYers]

What type of contamination? If you're not looking to remove dirt or orange peal from paint, then I would compound the whole car instead.

[@luismgaytan4940]

Hello, Can sand marks actually be removed with a DA polisher?

[@4DIYers]

Depends how much paint is on the surface. Depending on the paint, it maybe visible under different lighting or temperatures.

[@mysticmusic100]

How cold of weather can you put clear coat on? I noticed you wearing warm clothes, my temperature here just between 50 and 60 Fahrenheit thanks

[@4DIYers]

I’ve probably painted in 45, but you need to be extremely careful. The paint can run easily, dries very slowly so you need time between coats and you have to be careful with moisture as it can damage your final finish.

[@mysticmusic100]

@@4DIYers Thanks, I put the vehicle in the garage and put an Infared heater on it sure helped with the curing and drying time made a big difference.

[@melekk0]

no need for polish after compound sir ?

[@4DIYers]

Polishing needs to be done after wet sanding, but isn't needed continuously after. Only typical paint maintenance is needed just like the rest of the vehicle.

[@nickschuldt9229]

Can you drive the vehicle with just the paint for a week then go back and wet sand it?

[@4DIYers]

Yes you can, just make sure it's dried enough to drive.

[@websurfer1585]

Does the clear coat have to be 2k, or is 1k ok? Will 1k harden enough over time?

[@4DIYers]

2k is by far the best clear coat you can buy in a spray can version. However it's not mandatory. I've used 1k plenty of times and it does the job, just not as well. It'll dry just like any other paint, it's cheaper, but it's not as nice to work with, not as durable, and not as resistant to the elements.

[@williamyoung8823]

I think i messed up? I applied my base coat and started sanding before putting on my clear coat.

[@4DIYers]

Color sanding is a thing, but typically it's only for show cars.

[@dotterweich]

Damn

[@ericrisch9616]

Well I must be doing something wrong. I tried on my Silverado. Didn’t have anything to practice on so small part of back bumper. Used the ultimate compound n my bumper is cloudy asf. Nobody to blame by me thou

[@4DIYers]

Being a bumper, is the paint a satin finish or is it supposed to be glossy?

[@ericrisch9616]

@@4DIYers glossy. Chevrolet black

[@cornpowa]

Maybe they used water and sand to smooth and polish these.

[@SoggyBiscuits1000]

i cant give 5 likes!!!!!! so for that your only getting 4!!!!!!!

[@4DIYers]

Thank you so much, I appreciate the support :)