How to Remove Auto Body Paint With Sanding

Lots of sandpaper is needed to remove all of the paint from a car.

Paint isn't hard to remove unless it's on a car. Paint stripper is messy and doesn't work on cars as well as it does on smaller projects. The best way to remove paint from a car is by sanding it off. Remove all of the paint down to the bare metal by sanding, and the only mess you have is dust. Sanding the paint off is the fastest and most effective way to remove auto body paint.

Things You'll Need

• Dual-action sander
• 80-grit sandpaper
• 180-grit sandpaper
• Wax and grease remover
• Towel
• Self-etching primer

Instructions

1. Place a sheet of 80-grit sandpaper on a dual-action sander. Sand the car one body panel at a time, until the paint is removed.

2. Fold a sheet of 80-grit sandpaper in half and sand the places on the car that you can't reach with the sander. The rough, 80-grit sandpaper removes the paint quickly.

3. Sand the car again, using the dual-action sander with 180-grit paper. Smooth the rough surface left by the 80-grit sandpaper by working the sander over the body of the car with the 180-grit sandpaper.

4. Wipe the car's surface with wax and grease remover and a cotton towel to remove dust and sanding particles.

5. Spray self-etching primer onto the surface to prevent rust. Skip this step if you are painting the car immediately after removing the paint. Spray the primer onto the car if it will sit without paint for more than a day or two.

Tips & Warnings

• A dual-action sander won't harm the sheet metal, so it is safe to use even with rough-grit sandpaper.

• Don't sand the car without wearing a respirator mask, as the sanding creates a lot of dust in the area that is toxic to breathe.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish