Auto Body Sanding Before Painting: Grits & Techniques for a Flawless Finish

When working on auto body repairs, sanding is the foundation of a smooth, professional-looking paint job. Whether you’re fixing scratches, repairing dents, or preparing bare metal, following the right grit sequence with quality sandpaper sheets ensures your finish lasts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through auto body sanding techniques using eQualle 9x11 inch wet or dry sandpaper sheets.

Why Sanding is Crucial for Auto Body Work

Sanding does more than smooth surfaces—it levels filler, removes oxidation, and creates the right texture for primers and paints to bond. Skipping steps or using the wrong grit can cause peeling, visible scratches, or poor adhesion.

Tools You’ll Need

• eQualle Sandpaper sheets (9x11 in, Wet or Dry)
• Sanding block or orbital sander
• Body filler spreader
• Dust mask and eye protection
• Tack cloth and microfiber rags

Recommended Grit Sequence for Auto Body Prep

• 80 grit: Leveling body filler and removing heavy scratches.
• 180 grit: Smoothing repairs and blending edges.
• 320 grit: Prepping primed surfaces before painting.
• 400–600 grit: Wet sanding for a smooth paint-ready finish.

Step-by-Step: Sanding a Car for Painting

1. Fill & shape. Apply body filler to dents and shape with 80 grit (25-pack) until even with the panel surface.
2. Smooth transitions. Blend filler edges into surrounding metal using 180 grit (50-pack).
3. Prime & refine. After applying primer, sand with 320 grit (100-pack) to level the surface and remove imperfections.
4. Final prep. For high-gloss finishes, wet sand with 400–600 grit sheets until perfectly smooth.
5. Clean up. Wipe with a tack cloth and ensure the surface is free of dust before spraying paint.

Special Cases

When dealing with curved or detailed areas, fold sandpaper into smaller strips or wrap around a sponge for even pressure. For factory-clearcoat blending, ultra-fine grits like 800–1000 can be used after primer sanding.

Pro Tips

• Always sand in a crosshatch pattern for even leveling.
• Switch to wet sanding at finer grits to prevent clogging and overheating.
• Replace sheets as soon as they lose bite—dull paper can damage surfaces.
• Mask surrounding areas to avoid unnecessary scratches.

Aftercare

• Store unused sheets flat in a dry place to avoid curling.
• Sand between clearcoat layers with ultra-fine grit for extra smoothness.
• Always wash panels thoroughly before painting to remove residue.

FAQs

• Can I paint directly after sanding filler? No, filler must always be sealed with primer before paint.
• Is wet sanding necessary? Yes, especially for fine grits (400–600) to achieve a flawless finish.
• Do I need power tools? Not always—hand sanding gives better control for small areas and edges.

Watch & Learn

eQualle offers the full grit range for auto body sanding, from 80 grit for filler shaping to 600 grit for final prep. Shop auto body sanding sandpaper.