What Grit Sandpaper Do I Need?

Choosing the correct sandpaper grit is essential for a smooth, professional respray. Each grit has a specific job — using the wrong one can cause poor paint adhesion or visible scratches.

🔧 Heavy Damage / Shaping Repairs

Use: 80–120 grit

• Removing heavy rust

• Shaping body filler

• Stripping old paint back to metal

⚠️ Too coarse for final prep — never paint directly over this grit.

🔨 Flattening Filler & Rough Paint

Use: 180–240 grit

• Levelling body filler

• Smoothing repaired areas

• Removing old clearcoat

This prepares the panel for primer.

🧱 Pre-Primer Sanding

Use: 320–400 grit

• Sanding existing paint

• Feathering repair edges

• Preparing surfaces before primer

This is the minimum grit recommended before applying primer.

🎨 Sanding Primer (Very Important)

Use: 600–800 grit

• Flattening primer

• Removing small imperfections

• Preparing primer for colour coat

Most panels are painted after sanding primer with 800 grit.

✨ Pre-Paint & Blending

Use: 800–1000 grit

• Final prep before basecoat

• Blending edges between panels

• Preventing visible scratches in colour coat

💎 Flatting Clearcoat (Optional Finishing)

Use: 1500–3000 grit (wet sanding)

• Removing dust nibs

• Flattening orange peel

• Preparing for machine polishing

Used after clearcoat has fully cured.

✅ Quick Grit Summary Table

🧠 Pro Tips

• Always step up gradually between grits

• Use wet sanding for finer grits to reduce scratches

• Clean and degrease between stages

• Never skip straight from coarse to fine