Wet sanding is a crucial step in achieving a show-stopping shine for your car. After using a coarser grit sandpaper like 1500, moving to 2000 grit refines the surface, preparing it perfectly for polishing. This process eliminates those fine scratches left by the previous grit, ensuring a smooth, mirror-like finish.
To begin, ensure the area is clean and well-lubricated with water. Rinse both the surface and your 2000 grit sandpaper frequently as you work. Apply even pressure and sand in consistent strokes across the area you’re treating. Drying the surface periodically will allow you to inspect your progress and ensure you’re removing the 1500 grit sanding marks effectively. You’ll notice the difference between the wet sanded area and the original surface, highlighting the improvement wet sanding provides before polishing.
Next comes the polishing stage. Using a quality car polish, apply a small amount to a microfiber cloth or polishing pad. Work the polish into the wet sanded area using medium pressure. This action will further refine the surface, removing the 2000 grit sanding marks and bringing out a deep shine in your car’s clear coat. If you’re working on clear coat, you shouldn’t see any color transfer onto your cloth. However, with single-stage paints, seeing some paint color is normal.
For larger areas or faster results, a machine polisher can be used. Equip your polisher with a fine polishing pad and apply the same polishing compound. Let the weight of the machine do the work, avoiding excessive pressure or holding it in one spot for too long. Move the polisher evenly across the surface. While machine polishing is quicker, it requires more caution to prevent damaging the paint.
Remember to allow the paint to cure fully before applying wax or a sealant. Freshly polished paint needs to breathe as it releases gases, and sealing it too soon can interfere with the curing process. Finally, wipe away any residual polish with a clean, soft microfiber cloth to reveal your flawlessly wet sanded and polished car surface.
