Wet Sanding Clear Coat for a Mirror Finish: 1500 & 2000 Grit Guide

If you want your car’s paint to look like it just rolled out of a custom shop, wet sanding the clear coat is the secret. Using ultra-fine grits like 1500 and 2000 smooths out orange peel, dust nibs, and minor imperfections, allowing for a deep, glass-like shine after polishing.

Why Wet Sand a Clear Coat?

Even a professionally sprayed clear coat can have texture or small defects. Wet sanding levels the surface without cutting too deep, ensuring the finish reflects light evenly.

Best Grits for Clear Coat Leveling

• Grit 1500: Initial leveling to remove texture and imperfections.
• Grit 2000: Refining the surface for a swirl-free polish.

Step-by-Step: Wet Sanding Clear Coat

1. Wash the surface. Remove all dirt and contaminants to avoid scratches.
2. Soak the paper. Submerge Grit 1500 sheets in clean water for at least 10 minutes.
3. Sand with light pressure. Use a soft sanding block, moving in straight passes, checking often.
4. Rinse and inspect. The surface should appear uniformly dull without shiny low spots.
5. Refine with Grit 2000. Repeat the process to eliminate micro-scratches.
6. Polish to gloss. Use a dual-action polisher with a cutting compound, then a finishing polish.

Pro Tips

• Keep the surface wet at all times—dry spots can cause deep scratches.
• Use a squeegee to check progress frequently.
• Work in shaded areas to prevent water spots.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the finer grit—going from 1500 straight to polishing can leave visible swirls.
• Using too much pressure—this can cut through the clear coat.
• Not polishing after sanding—wet sanding alone will leave a dull finish.

FAQs

• Can I use 3000 grit after 2000? Yes, for an even easier polishing stage, but it’s optional.
• Will wet sanding remove deep scratches? No, it’s for surface texture. Deep scratches may need repainting.

Watch & Learn

Get the grits you need: Start with Grit 1500 (25-pack) for initial leveling, then finish with Grit 2000 (50-pack) for ultra-fine refinement. For other sanding projects, browse all sandpaper.