What is dry sanding?

• A. Sanding without water
• B. Sanding with water
• C. Sanding with oil
• D. Sanding with air

Answer: (A)

Dry sanding means sanding a surface with no liquid between the abrasive and the workpiece. In collision repair, you use dry sanding to shape filler, feather edges, or scuff bare metal before priming or painting because you can feel the material and control the cut more directly. Since there’s no water to lubricate or wash away dust, dry sanding produces more dust and heat, so you’ll need proper ventilation and a mask. Wet sanding, by contrast, uses water to lubricate and cool the surface and to keep the paper from clogging, which is helpful for finer finishes. The other options aren’t dry sanding because they involve liquids or residues (water, oil) or refer to an unrelated method, which changes the process and outcome.