How to Use Sandpaper to Remove Excess Touch Up Paint From Car

Touch up paint application can vary from spot to spot. There might be a drip, a glob, or just too much that looks like a lump, and a bad looking touch up can spoil the paint job on any car. If a bad looking touch up has happened, you can use sandpaper and some regular clear-coat lacquer to make any spot disappear. It will take a little elbow grease and a lot of patience, but if you are up to this task, a touch up paint spot can be made to blend in and look as good as new.

Things You'll Need

  • 800 to 2000 grit sandpaper
  • Small artist paint brush
  • Clear-coat lacquer
  • Begin sanding the spot with 800 grit sandpaper. Sand down the spot until it is more or less even with your regular paint job.

  • Switch to 1000 grit sandpaper, and even it out even farther.

  • Switch to 1500 grit when the spot looks close to even with your original paint job. This is more of a polishing paper than an actual sandpaper.

  • Switch to 2000 grit to blend in the spot with the surrounding paint.

  • Dip the artists paint brush into the clear-coat lacquer. You don't need much, just cover the tip.

  • Brush lightly over the spot. The lacquer will fill in any tiny scratches and make the area blend and look like the rest of the paint. Let dry over night.

  • Polish the lacquer with 2000 grit sandpaper, if needed, and apply another coat.