Yes, exactly ! Then to blend you use a very light touch with 800 grit wet, on a firm foam sanding pad.....if you try to use your hand or fingers, it will just end up cutting deeper in the touch up areas... The idea is to bring the high points of the touch ups back level with the rest of the paint to blend in. Work light, slow and check often. Perhaps making another final pass with 1000 grit, then some polishing compound. A final buff with soft cloth ( I have both soft cotton and wool buffs for this) and seal it with a nice wax job !

Of course you can determine the level of finish you want at any time, but for something really shiny, carry through and it will look awesome. The whole process can be quite involved, and you don't want to rush. Sometimes I will get through one stage and hang it up until the next session...

If done correctly, it will take almost no pressure to 'color sand' - you let the paper do the work...keep wet, rinse often. Do not mix your grades of paper in the water, and change to fresh water when you change grits.

Also, when you start out, add a few drops of liquid dish soap to say....a 3/4 full 1lb coffee can ( I use the plastic ones). Use a quality sand paper like 3M, and allow it to soak for 30min or so before you begin.

You'd be amazed what color sanding will bring back from the dead also...old oxidized finishes can be lightly cut down and polished and can look nearly new. You must be very careful around edges...it doesn't take much to cut through the paint ! On cars I often mask off the sharp edges with tape.

Cheers,

Joe


From my experience with painting and detailing it would probably take a few pages to adequately describe the whole process from start to finish, but there is a ton of such material on the web. These days for a real show finish, a two stage paint process (color coat / clear coat) is a great way to go, and keeps the color thickness to a minimum. The clear coats can be done thicker and then sanded and buffed to perfection ! It is not the most feasible from a money standpoint unless you have the spray equipment and ability to do it yourself. That being said, very sharp looking finishes can be had from single stage paint, without clear coat and without a ton of hand labor. I just prefer something over the color as it adds protection and reduces the chips in the color coat.