What Sandpaper Grit Should I Use for Car Paint Repair?

Learn which sandpaper grit to use for each stage of your DIY touch-up or panel repair so you can achieve a smooth, professional-looking finish without damaging your paint.

This guidance applies to ScratchesHappen bottle and aerosol kit repairs, not professional spray-gun systems.

Section 0: Surface Prep, including Rust & Filler

Before applying primer, make sure the surface is completely clean and free of rust or oxidation. Paint will not adhere properly to rusty or uneven surfaces.

RUST

Remove all rust using 80-grit sandpaper or a sanding block, extending beyond the damaged area to expose clean metal.

BODY FILLER

If the surface is uneven, apply automotive body filler (like the ScratchesHappen Body Filler Kit) in thin layers. Let each layer dry 10–15 minutes before sanding smooth.
Sand the filled area smooth with 320-grit to level, then finish with 600-grit to refine before priming.

SURFACE PREP

Bottle kit surface prep: Use the polishing compound or a 600-grit wet sanding block edge or stick to remove any ragged, rough edges on the chip or scratch.
Aerosol kit surface prep: Use 600-grit paper to wet sand the area you are going to spray. This scuffing smooths out the surface, and preps it for good adhesion with the primer or paint.

Pro tip: For small repairs (under a few inches), hand-sanding gives better control so you don't scuff adjacent intact factory finish. For large panels, an orbital sander helps maintain a flat surface.

Need sandpaper?

Our USA Touch-Up Sandpaper Kit and Canada Touch-Up Sandpaper Kit include the same grits used in these steps (320, 600, 1000, 1500, and 3000) — ideal for both bottle and aerosol repairs.

Section 1: Primer Sanding

Bottle kit: Sanding of primer is not usually recommended or needed in small brush repairs.
Aerosol kit: Use 600-grit sandpaper (wet or dry) to smooth the aerosol primer and feather or blend the edges of a repair into the factory finish before applying color. The sanding/scuffing of the primer surface with 600 grit helps prepare it for good adhesion with the paint.

Section 2: Base Color Sanding

Do not sand between color coats. Waterborne base coats are fragile and can be damaged or lightened if sanded before clear coat.
Let each coat dry fully before applying the next.

Aerosol touch-up base color: If you notice a small blemish or dust nib after spraying aerosol paint, let the coat dry, and lightly dry-sand just the imperfection with 1000–1500 grit, blow with compressed air, tack cloth, and reapply a color coat.

Section 3: Clear Coat Finishing

BOTTLE AND AEROSOL KIT REPAIRS:

Use 1500-grit (wet sanding) if needed to add gloss to the clear coat once it’s fully cured (usually 48 hours).
Follow with 2000–3000-grit (wet) for polishing to a high gloss.

Tips & Cautions • Always sand with light, even pressure — let the paper do the work. • Check your progress frequently to make sure you don't sand through clear coat and paint inadvertently. • Replace wet sand paper frequently to prevent scratches. • Never sand while clear coat is tacky or partially cured.

FAQs

Do I need to sand between color coats?

No, you should not sand between color coats, especially with waterborne automotive paint. The color layer is fragile and can be damaged or color changed if sanded before clear coat. However, in an aerosol repair, if you notice a small blemish or dust nib after the paint has dried, let the color dry completely, then lightly dry-sand the spot off with 1000–1500 grit, remove the sanding dust, and apply another color coat.

What grit wet sandpaper should I use for clear coat finishing?

After the final clear coat cures for about 48 hours, start with 1500-grit wet sanding to polish and gloss the surface, then move to 2000–3000 grit wet sanding for deeper gloss.

Can I use the same sandpaper or grit for primer and clear coat?

No, both the paper and grit should be different. • Primer sanding is a leveling step, using coarser (600-grit dry) paper. • Clear coat sanding is a polishing step, using fine (1500–3000-grit wet) paper. Always use clean, fresh paper for clear coat — residue from earlier steps can scratch or dull the finish.

Do these sanding guidelines cover professional spray-gun clear coats?

No, these directions apply only to ScratchesHappen bottle and aerosol kits. Professional 2K clear coats include their own sanding and polishing instructions in the kit, and experienced painters should follow those product-specific steps.

Related Help Docs & Videos

Learn what comes next — from prepping your surface to polishing your final finish.

How to Apply Your Touch-Up Paint

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My Final Finish Is Not Glossy or Shiny

Application technique is usually the culprit in cases of low gloss. Here's how to fix it.

How To Spray ScratchesHappen Touch Up Paint

See our technician prep, prime and paint a large flaking area on an SUV.