A freshly polished paint job.
When car paint is applied, small ripples and inconsistencies will form in the paint. This is commonly referred to as "orange peel," which is the main reason wet sanding is required. After the paint is wet sanded smooth, polish is applied to seal the paint and give it a shiny finish. Wet sanding is a much more delicate process than dry sanding because you have to be careful not to burn through the paint. Fine-grade wet sandpaper must be used with plenty of water.
Instructions
1. Wipe the entire surface of the painted areas clean with a shop rag and acetone. This will remove any dirt or other contaminants on the paint.
2. Put 1,500-grit wet sandpaper on a sanding block and fill a bucket with water. Wet a small area of the paint with a sponge and begin sanding the paint in a forward to backward motion, not in circles. Sand the paint until the sandpaper no longer creates friction on the surface. At this point, you know the paint is smooth enough to move on to another area. Continue adding water with the sponge as you go.
3. Dry the surface using a squeegee and a towel. Find any spots on the surface of the paint that are shiny and resand them until the entire surface is dull and hazy. Rinse the surface with clean water and squeegee it dry.
4. Apply polish to the surface of the paint in circular motions using a foam applicator pad. When the entire surface is coated with polish, let it dry completely until the car is covered in a hazy white film.
5. Buff the polish using an electric buffer with a wool buffing pad. When all the polish is buffed, the car will have a smooth, shiny finish.
