Wet Sanding

[69Coronet]

Please excuse my ignorance but could somebody tell me what wet sanding is?  Is it just like it sounds where you make the sandpaper wet?  Whats the difference between wet sanding and just sanding?

[JimShine]

Wet sanding can be done with water (people usually add soap) or in some cases mineral spirits to lubricate the paper while sanding. This causes less heat (friction) and gives a more uniform scratch pattern making rub out easier. It also helps you eliminate orange peel. By drying the surface occasionally while sanding, you can watch the orange peel. Work harder where the peel is more severe and stop sanding where it is eliminated.

Wet sanding helps prolong paper life as well. The ligquid flushes out the finish that loads up in the paper.

[68chrgrwife]

I also know that you wet sand after painting to make the paint finish look better.  You would not regular sand finished paint....