Sandpaper for Cars: How to Choose the Right Grit for Every Step

When it comes to car refinishing, sanding is one of the most important steps. Whether you’re restoring an old vehicle, preparing a panel for paint, or polishing a clear coat, choosing the right sandpaper for cars determines how smooth, even, and durable your final finish will be.

Using the wrong abrasive can cause scratches, uneven surfaces, or peeling paint — problems that can ruin hours of hard work. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about automotive sandpaper, from grit selection to material types and practical sanding tips.

What Is Sandpaper for Cars?

Automotive sandpaper is designed specifically for use on metal, primer, paint, and clear coat surfaces. Unlike wood or drywall sandpaper, automotive sandpapers are made with durable abrasives, water-resistant backings, and strong adhesives that can handle wet sanding and high-speed machine use.

Typical automotive sandpaper uses high-performance materials like:

• Aluminium oxide – durable, versatile, and commonly used for general sanding.
• Silicon carbide – sharper and harder, ideal for wet sanding and fine finishing.
• Ceramic grains – long-lasting, excellent for heavy material removal on metal panels.

These sandpapers are available in various forms — sheets, rolls, and sanding discs — to fit different tools and applications.

Why Choosing the Right Grit Matters

Sandpaper “grit” refers to the coarseness of the abrasive particles. Lower numbers (e.g., P80, P120) are rougher and remove material quickly, while higher numbers (e.g., P2000, P3000) are smoother and designed for finishing and polishing.

Using the correct grit sequence ensures:

• Faster, more even surface preparation
• Better paint adhesion
• Fewer sanding marks
• Less time spent correcting mistakes later

Let’s look at the recommended grit ranges for each stage of car sanding.

1️⃣ Coarse Grits (P80–P180): Paint Removal and Rust Repair

If you’re removing old paint, surface rust, or filler, start with coarse grit sandpaper.
This range is aggressive enough to strip layers quickly without overheating or clogging.

Recommended use:

• Stripping old paint or clear coat
• Leveling body filler
• Removing rust or deep scratches

Best products:

• Sandpaper Rolls – for large areas and continuous sanding
• Paper Sanding Discs – efficient for machine sanding on metal surfaces

👉 Tip: Always move the sanding tool evenly and avoid pressing too hard — this prevents deep swirl marks that are difficult to cover later.

2️⃣ Medium Grits (P240–P600): Smoothing Primer and Surface Blending

After removing imperfections, medium grits help refine the surface before applying primer or paint.
This stage focuses on creating a uniform surface while removing scratches from the coarse stage.

Recommended use:

• Feathering edges between paint layers
• Smoothing body filler or primer
• Preparing for primer or base coat

Best products:

• Film Sanding Discs – excellent flexibility and long life
• Sandpaper Sheets – easy for manual sanding around edges and contours

👉 Tip: Use a sanding block or interface pad for even pressure and to prevent uneven spots.

3️⃣ Fine Grits (P800–P1500): Pre-Paint Sanding

Fine grit sandpaper is used before the final color or clear coat application.
It removes small imperfections and creates a smooth, matte surface that paint can adhere to perfectly.

Recommended use:

• Final sanding before paint
• Removing minor orange peel or dust nibs
• Light scuffing between coats

Best products:

• Film Sanding Discs (P1000–P1500) – offer smooth, consistent finish
• Waterproof Sandpaper Sheets – ideal for wet sanding primer or base coat

👉 Tip: Wet sanding reduces clogging and helps you see surface irregularities more clearly.

4️⃣ Ultra-Fine Grits (P2000–P5000): Polishing and Clear Coat Finishing

Once the paint or clear coat is applied, ultra-fine grits are used for polishing and refining the finish.
These ultra-smooth abrasives remove tiny surface imperfections, swirl marks, or overspray, preparing the surface for final buffing.

Recommended use:

• Wet sanding clear coat before polishing
• Smoothing out orange peel
• Final finishing before wax or sealant

Best products:

• Mesh Sanding Discs (P2000–P3000) – excellent dust control and flexibility
• Polishing Pads & Finishing Discs – for final gloss restoration

👉 Tip: Always use clean water and a soft backing pad during wet sanding. Finish by polishing with a fine compound and foam pad.

Sandpaper Types for Cars

Automotive sandpaper comes in different backings and formats. Choosing the right type depends on your tool and task.

At FastPlus, we offer all these types to match every stage of car refinishing — from initial paint removal to final mirror polishing.

Wet Sanding vs Dry Sanding

Both methods are useful, depending on the job:

• Wet Sanding uses water to lubricate the surface, reduce heat, and minimize dust. It’s ideal for final finishing on paint and clear coat.
• Dry Sanding is faster for heavy material removal and works well with dust extraction systems, especially when using mesh sanding discs.

For best results, start with dry sanding in the early stages, then finish with wet sanding for a flawless shine.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

✅ Always sand in stages — never jump from coarse to ultra-fine grit directly.
✅ Keep your sandpaper clean; replace it when clogged.
✅ Use proper backing pads to maintain even pressure.
✅ Wet sand in a crosshatch pattern to avoid swirl marks.
✅ Wipe surfaces clean before switching grits or applying paint.

By following these tips, you’ll get smoother, more uniform finishes — and save time on corrections later.

Conclusion

Sanding is the foundation of every beautiful paint job. Using the right sandpaper for cars, with the proper grit sequence and sanding technique, ensures your surface is perfectly prepared for painting or polishing.

At FastPlus, we offer a complete selection of sandpaper sheets, rolls, discs, polishing pads, and accessories designed for professional automotive results. Whether you’re restoring, repairing, or refinishing, our abrasives deliver consistency, durability, and smooth performance every time.