Sandpaper Grit Chart for Automotive Refinishing

Sandpaper Grit Chart for Automotive Refinishing

Sanding is one of the most important steps in automotive refinishing. Whether you’re a DIY car enthusiast or a professional body shop technician, choosing the right sandpaper grit can make the difference between a smooth, flawless finish and a surface full of scratches or imperfections. This guide will provide a detailed sandpaper grit chart for auto body work, explain when to use different types of sanding discs, and offer tips to avoid common mistakes.

Why a Sandpaper Grit Chart Matters for Auto Body Work

Using the right sandpaper grit ensures proper material removal while minimizing the risk of scratches. Starting with too fine a grit will waste time and leave uneven surfaces, while using too coarse a grit can damage the paint or primer layers. A clear grit chart provides an at-a-glance guide to which grit is suitable for each stage of automotive refinishing, from rust removal to final polishing.

Automotive Sandpaper Grit Chart (Quick Reference)

Step / Stage Recommended Grit Range Purpose / Notes
Heavy material removal / Rust removal P40 – P120 Remove old paint, rust, or body filler quickly
Body filler leveling P120 – P240 Smooth out filler and shape panels
Primer sanding P320 – P400 Prepare primer for base coat adhesion
Base coat blending P600 – P800 Smooth base coat and blend edges
Clear coat sanding / defect removal P1000 – P1500 Remove dust nibs, orange peel, and minor imperfections
Fine finishing / polishing prep P2000+ Prepare surface for polishing compounds and final finish

This chart gives a clear overview for both beginners and experienced technicians, ensuring that each sanding step is performed with the correct grit.

How to Use Different Types of Sanding Discs

Different sanding disc types have different strengths. Choosing the right type for your grit and task will save time and improve finish quality.

Paper Sanding Discs

Paper sanding discs are versatile and ideal for most body work tasks. They are especially suitable for removing old paint and leveling body filler.

  • Recommended Use: Primer sanding and medium grit base coat preparation
  • Natural Product Mention: For these steps, foam-backed paper sanding discs provide consistent pressure and reduce the chance of gouging the surface. You can browse foam discs suitable for automotive refinishing in our Paper Sanding Disc collection.

Film Sanding Discs

Film sanding discs are more durable and flexible than paper. They are great for wet sanding, fine finishing, and smoothing base coats or clear coats.

  • Recommended Use: P600 and above, for clear coat correction and wet sanding
  • Natural Product Mention: Film sanding discs help achieve a consistent scratch pattern without tearing, ideal for preparing for polishing. Check out our Film Sanding Discs.

Mesh / Net Sanding Discs

Mesh or net sanding discs allow debris to pass through, reducing clogging and speeding up material removal. They are ideal for coarse sanding and fast stock removal on body panels.

  • Recommended Use: Rust removal, old paint stripping, or coarse primer sanding
  • Natural Product Mention: Our Mesh Sanding Discs are perfect for rough sanding and save time on dust-heavy jobs.

Wet Sanding vs Dry Sanding Grits

Wet sanding and dry sanding serve different purposes and require different grit considerations:

  • Wet Sanding: Ideal for fine finishing and clear coat correction. Use higher grit discs (P1000+) and always keep the surface wet to prevent scratches.
  • Dry Sanding: Best for heavy material removal, primer sanding, and body filler preparation. Use mid-to-low grit discs (P120–P600) depending on the task.

Wet sanding also improves the final polish and reduces swirl marks when preparing the paint surface for compounding.

Tips to Avoid Swirl Marks and Scratches

  1. Progress Through Grits Gradually: Don’t skip grits between sanding steps. Move from coarse to medium to fine to maintain a smooth surface.
  2. Keep a Steady Pressure: Too much force can create deep scratches; too little may leave uneven sanding marks.
  3. Use Backing Pads or Blocks: Distribute pressure evenly and avoid sanding flat spots.
  4. Clean Between Steps: Wipe dust and residue before moving to finer grits to prevent embedding particles.

Recommended Sanding Discs for Each Stage

Instead of hard-selling products, suggest suitable types naturally:

  • P40–P120: Mesh discs for fast removal
  • P120–P400: Paper discs with foam backing for primer sanding
  • P600–P800: Film discs for base coat smoothing
  • P1000–P1500: Film or fine mesh discs for clear coat corrections
  • P2000+: Film discs for wet sanding and polishing prep

You can explore the appropriate discs in our Fastplus sanding disc categorie.

This gives readers actionable advice while gently pointing them to your products.

Conclusion

A properly selected sandpaper grit and disc type is critical for achieving a professional automotive finish. Using a clear grit chart and understanding the strengths of paper, film, and mesh discs ensures efficient sanding and flawless results.

Ready to start your next auto refinishing project? Explore our full range of sanding discs designed for every stage of automotive sanding.

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