A second pass with 800-grit sandpaper is completed at an opposite
angle in a method Kopecky calls “cross-cutting.” Each time
Kopecky starts sanding a fender, he sands at an angle opposite to
his previous pass.“The 800-grit does all the work — it’s working the imperfections out,”
Kopecky said. “You have to pay attention most at this step... It’s the
leveler.”
After passing over the panels with 800-grit wet or dry automotive
sandpaper, the paint imperfections should be gone. The next steps
remove the sand marks from the previous sanding step by using finer-
grit sandpaper. When changing the sandpaper between grits, Kopecky
makes sure the sanding marks from the previous direction are also gone
by examining the panel when it’s dry. With each move to a finer grit of
paper, the sand marks should decrease. With each step, Kopecky sands
with a medium pressure.
Next, Kopecky repeats the previous step that used 800-grit sandpaper,
but moves to 1,000-grit water-soaked wet or dry automotive sand paper.
He begins by sanding 90 degrees from his previous pass and repeats the
cross-cutting method. The 1,000-grit is the last paper with which he
makes two passes with the same grit.
After two passes with the 1,000-grit sandpaper using the cross-cutting
method, Kopecky moves up to 1,200-grit wet or dry paper. He starts