How to Sand & Touch-Up Paint

Sanding and touching up car paint is a simple process to cover rust or minor damage.

Occasionally a car will require a paint touch up due to minor damage such as a chip or scratch. Standard paint colors can be found in a most automotive outlets, in the most popular colors. Sanding and touching up the paint is a fairly simple process. Attention to detail and the right sequence of sanding, painting and finishing will give your car the like new look once again.

Things You'll Need

• Dishsoap
• Water
• Small clean bucket
• Clean lint free rags
• Prep solvent: optional
• 180 grit sandpaper
• 320 grit sandpaper
• 600 grit wet sandpaper
• 2000 grit sandpaper
• Touch up primer: optional
• Touch up paint in the code for your car color
• Clear coat touch up paint
• Fine tipped art brushes
• Car wax or polish: optional

Instructions

1. Wash the area to be painted with a mild solution of soap and water and dry thoroughly. Use a prep solvent to remove any grease, wax or oil on the surface if desired.

2. Sand the area with 180-grit sandpaper if the area has deep scratches. If the damage is merely a scratch and relatively smooth, skip the 180 and use 320-grit instead. Likewise if you sanded with the 180-grit, now sand the area with the 320 to smooth out the lines from the 180-grit paper.

3. Wet sand the previously sanded area with the 600-grit sandpaper, wetting the area down with a rag before sanding. Now blend the edges of the area by wet sanding with the 2000-grit sandpaper. Wash away any sanding grit with clear water. Allow the area to dry thoroughly.

4. Shake the touch up paint to mix it. Paint on a thin coat of the paint with the brush that came with the paint, or one of the art brushes. Art brushes work best for smaller areas like chips or pits. Allow to dry completely.

5. Wet sand the painted area with the 2000-grit sandpaper and water until it is smooth to the touch. Dry with a lint free towel. When completely dry repeat the paint application again, then dry, and sand again. Do up to 3 coats this way if necessary.

6. Apply the clear coat, using a generous amount so it fills in the area and makes it look smooth. Allow this to dry completely, it may take longer than the paint. Sanding too soon will make the clear coat cloudy, so wait until you are sure it's dry. Do a light wet sand with the 2000-grit sandpaper and water, making sure the edges of the painted area blend in seamlessly. Wash down and dry with a clean towel when done.

7. Work the rubbing compound into the area with a clean towel, and rub it out. When the compound is well worked in and the surface looks smooth and shiny, wipe away any excess and apply car wax or polish to the entire car if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on an area that is less visible the first time if you want to test out your painting skills.

References

• Thirdgen: Paint Touch Up Repair Tips
• Automotive Touch Up: Touch Up Paint Directions