4 Tips for Sanding Enamel Paint

Enamel paint is used to achieve a very glossy finish and when it dries it is very hard. Often it has metal flakes or glass powder mixed in with the color pigment. But if the enamel is chipped, cracked and dull, you may need to refinish it. The first step is to sand it down.

TIP:Doityourself’s painting consultant Edward Kimble, author of Interior House Painting Blog, suggests, “If you’re doing this on a car, many, many, vehicles are painted using a basecoat/clearcoat finish, which looks just like enamel. Determine which finish is on the vehicle before you start sanding.”

Only Use Wet Sanding

When sanding enamel paint you will use something called wet sanding. This requires water and very high grade sand paper. This type of sanding makes it possible to achieve a really fine finish without actually damaging the surface. It can take some time to do it right, but you can get great results if you use the right equipment.

Use a bucket of tap water and some sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block. Frequently wet the paper by dipping the sanding block into the water. To ensure that you do not damage any of the underlay, use light and short sanding stokes. Makes sure you sprinkle water onto the surface even though you are constantly wetting the sanding block.

TIP:Edward adds, “Sanding in straight lines is better than circles, sand with the shape of sculptured areas.”

When you have a rounded surface, stop using the sanding block and use a wet piece of sandpaper. Once you are satisfied with the surface and it looks smooth wash it with clean water to make sure it is what you want. You can then buff the surface using a liquid buff compound, though all buffing should be done at a very low speed.

Use the Right Types of Sandpaper

You never want to wet sand using an electric sander, as water and electricity do not mix. While sanding your vehicle by hand is time consuming, it is better to be safe than sorry. Hard sanding blocks are the best for most surfaces though you do not necessarily need one as you can also fold the sanding cloth in your hand and dip the paper in water. If you are sanding a sculpture or textured surface, you need something sturdier than paper. A Scotch Brite pad dipped in water is a good choice.

Wipe Away Debris

Use a squeegee to get all of the sanded material and water off the surface. If you are sanding off something with a lot of grit, you need to keep a close eye on your process. Make sure you remove all debris before the water dries, otherwise it is very difficult to clean up.

Keep Your Hands Happy

Since sanding your enamel paint can take a long time, you may find your hands becoming sore or chapped. You can use a good skin cream to deal with this problem though you can wear gloves if it is a big problem. Many people find that they manage to rub off their fingerprints for a few days.

Make Cleanup Easy

You are going to make a mess, as water and grit will be all over the floor. This can be tricky to sweep up at the end so it is recommended that you put a cloth or newspapers down which will make clean up much easier.

Edward Kimble, professional painter and author of Interior House Painting Blog, contributed to this article.