Proven Quality
Fix Clear Coat Runs & Drips by Wet Sanding (1500–3000 Grit, No Repaint)
Got a sag, run, or drip in your clear coat? You can flatten it safely with controlled wet sanding and a quick polish—no need to respray the whole panel. This guide shows the exact steps and grits to level defects without leaving halos.
Before You Start
- Confirm the clear coat is fully cured (hard to the touch and not gummy under a fingernail).
- Work in bright, indirect light so you can see the high spot and the surrounding peel.
- Use a soft foam pad behind the paper to keep pressure even on curves.
Grit Progression (Wet Only)
- 1500 grit — initial leveling on the run itself.
- 2000 grit — refine and widen the blend area.
- 3000 grit — pre-polish to remove micro-marring and shorten compounding time.
Step-by-Step
- Isolate the defect. Outline the run with low-tack tape, leaving a small window over the high spot. This prevents accidental sanding of surrounding clear.
- Level at 1500. Keep the surface just wet. Sand in short, straight strokes across the run with light pressure until the ridge disappears and the area looks uniformly matte.
- Feather at 2000. Remove the tape and expand the area slightly, blending outward so no hard edge remains.
- Pre-polish at 3000. Quick passes to erase 2000-grit marks and create a fine haze that buffs out fast.
- Polish & protect. Compound the spot, then finish with a polish. Seal with wax or a ceramic topper after full cure.
Pro Tips
- Use a guide coat (dry-erase marker scribble) on the run—when it’s gone evenly, you’re flat.
- Change paper often; dull sheets skate and create uneven sheen.
- Avoid corners and body lines—clear is thinnest there. Mask them if needed.
- Silicon carbide sheets support Wet or Dry Use (Uso en Seco o Húmedo), but stick to wet only for clear coat fixes.
Shop the Grits
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Result: A flat, glossy finish with the defect erased and no need to repaint the entire panel.
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