How to Sand Rubber Parts
by Cameron Easey
You can sand rubber parts, such as those on a rubber car bumper, to remove scratches or sand primer when painting. The process of sanding rubber requires you to use a technique called wet sending, which smooths the surface of the rubber without leaving sanding marks. You can sand rubber parts by first obtaining the correct type of sandpaper to use on the surface of the rubber.
Step 1
Fill a spray bottle ¾ full with warm water.
Step 2
Attach a piece of 400-grit sandpaper to the sanding block.
Step 3
Spray the piece of rubber that you need to sand with a generous amount of water from the spray bottle.
Step 4
Wet the 400-grit sandpaper with the spray bottle until it is damp.
Step 5
Begin sanding the rubber by making multiple passes back and forth. You can also sand in an "X" pattern over the surface. Continue sanding until the surface is smooth.
Step 6
Spray the rubber with the spray bottle to wash off any loose material. Dry the rubber piece with a cloth or a rag.
Step 7
Examine the rubber piece to see if there are any defects. If none are found, let it sit for a day to dry. Repeat steps 3 to 6 if you still see defects.
Step 8
Attach a piece of 600-grit sandpaper to the sanding block. Spray the piece of rubber with the spray bottle, and dampen the 600-grit sandpaper.
Step 9
Sand the rubber with the 600-grit sandpaper. Spray the rubber with the spray bottle to wash off any loose material. Dry the rubber piece with a cloth or a rag.
Step 10
Repeat this process for any other rubber pieces that you need to sand.
References
Things You'll Need
- Sanding block
- 400-grit sandpaper
- 600-grit sandpaper
- Spray bottle
- Cloth or rag
Writer Bio
Cameron Easey has over 15 years customer service experience, with eight of those years in the insurance industry. He has earned various designations from organizations like the Insurance Institute of America and LOMA. Easey earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Western Michigan University.
