How to Sand a Car for Paint

• 1). Remove all plastic and foam parts from the body of the car before sanding. This will prevent damage to these parts and make it easier to use the power sander and sandpaper. Your goal is to sand every area of the car's body so you can apply even coats of primer and paint.
  
  
• 2). Use a power sander to remove heavy scratches, rust and other materials. Move the power sander back and forth in a straight line for best results. Depending on the degree of rust and other damage, you may have to switch sander pads several times to accomplish a smooth finish.
  
  
• 3). Use an air compressor to remove dust left behind by the power sander. An air compresssor can remove dust that's trapped in smaller spaces on the car and ensure a clean surface.
  
  
• 4). Wrap #120 grit sandpaper around a wooden block. Moving in a straight direction, sand harder to reach areas located around car doors, hood and trunk. Switch to #200 grit sandpaper to remove fine scratches. Work your way up to #600 grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.
  
  
• 5). Turn on the air compressor to remove additional dust. Wipe the entire surface with a dry cloth. Examine the body of the car. Check for spots you may have missed, scratches or leftover dust. Continue to sand and remove dust using the air compressor until you're satisfied.