Which technique removes small dirt particles from paint before finishing?

• A. Denibbing
• B. Buffing
• C. Wet sanding
• D. Guide coat

Answer: (A)

Denibbing targets tiny nibs—small dirt particles that protrude from the paint surface—by lightly abrading the surface so it becomes uniform before the final finish. This is done after the paint layer has flashed but before applying the next coat, using a very fine abrasive or a denib pad with minimal pressure and sometimes with a little water. The goal is to flatten those raised spots without removing significant material, leaving a smooth, clean surface for the final coat to go on.

Buffing and wet sanding are finishing steps applied to the cured surface to remove defects or level the finish after it’s already down, not for pre-finishing nib removal. A guide coat helps visualize high and low areas during sanding, not to eliminate dirt particles on the paint. So denibbing is the appropriate technique for removing small dirt particles before finishing.