To properly sand paint chips and related damage on a car, you will use specific grits of sandpaper to smooth the area before potential repair or repainting.
The Sanding Process for Damaged Paint
Based on standard practice for preparing damaged paint areas, the process involves starting with a coarser grit to level the damage and then progressing to a finer grit to smooth the surface. Here are the steps:
- Start with 180 Grit: Use a piece of 180 grit dry sandpaper to begin sanding the damaged area. This initial step helps to remove irregularities.
- Sand Until Clean: Continue sanding with the 180 grit sandpaper until no leftover paint from the other vehicle is visible in the damaged spot. The goal is to clean up the impact area.
- Feather Sand with 320 Grit: Next, use 320 grit dry sandpaper to feather sand the area you just worked on. Feather sanding gradually smooths the edges of the sanded area into the surrounding paint, creating a smoother transition that is essential for subsequent painting steps.
Following these steps prepares the chipped or damaged area by creating a smooth, clean surface ready for primer or paint application.
