Steps to Sanding a Car for Restoration

There is nothing more rewarding than restoring a classic car. Sanding the car may take a little time, but the effort will be well be its own reward. Sanding your car for restoration must be done in steps to assure that you do not damage the metal body under the paint.

How to Sand a Car for Restoration

1. The first step is to determine how many coats of paint are actually on your car. Using a block sander and 60-grit sandpaper, sand a small area of the car to determine the number of paint coats that have been applied to the vechile.

2. If the car has more than one paint layer use 60-grit sandpaper on a board sander. Sand until the last coat of paint is visible. Do not sand down to bare metal. Take your time.

3. If the car has only one coat of paint use 120-grit sandpaper on a board sander and sand down to the metal. Keep your sander flat so you do not gouge the car's metal body.

4. If you detect any Bondo while sanding you can remove the body by peeling it off the car.

5. Rusted area should be sanded thoroughly. If the rust is not removed it will eat away at the metal. If rust damage is too deep, you will need to have that panel repaired.

6. After you have completely sanded the paint of the car, you must smooth the metal. Use 400-grit sandpaper and wet sand until the whole car is smooth.