LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Tesla >> 2021 >> Model 3 Performance >> Repair and Diagnosis >> General Information >> Hoist/Jack >> Body -- Model 3 >> Paint >> Paint Defect Rectification >> Remove Sand Mark
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Remove Sand Mark

  1. Install a cutting pad on the buffer, and then apply 4 evenly spaced 20 mm diameter dollops of cutting compound on the cutting pad.
    G14739381Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  2. Set the buffer speed according to region, and while the buffer is off, place the tool on top of the sanding mark.
    • NA: setting 3
    • APAC: TBD
    • EMEA: TBD
  3. Keeping the pad flush with the body panel, activate the buffer for 5 seconds, making 1 foot long side to side swipes over the sanding mark.
    G14739382Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  4. Turn off the buffer and remove the buffer from the body panel only when the pad stops spinning.
  5. Remove the cutting compound from the body panel with a clean microfiber towel.
  6. Apply one 10 mm diameter dollop of cutting compound on the center of the sanding mark.
    G14739383Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
  7. Set the buffer speed according to region, and while the buffer is off, place the buffer on top of the sanding mark.
    • NA: setting 5
    • APAC: TBD
    • EMEA: TBD
  8. Keeping the pad flush with the body panel, activate the buffer.
  9. Apply pressure until the buffer begins to stall, and then reduce pressure until the buffer rotates normally.
  10. At a rate of 1 inch per second, move the buffer side to side in a 6 inch area centered on the paint inclusion.
    CAUTION: Keep the tool level and continuously moving.
  11. Turn the buffer off after 15 seconds or when the cutting compound begins to dissipate. Remove the buffer from the body panel only when the pad stops spinning.
  12. Remove the cutting compound from the body panel with a clean microfiber towel.
  13. Inspect the affected area.
    • If sanding marks are still present, perform steps  6 to  13.
    • If sanding marks are no longer present, and only hazing/swirling remain, continue to the next step.
  14. Turn on the buffer, and then clean the pad with a pad cleaning brush.
  15. With the buffer still running, use a microfiber towel to remove as much residual compound as possible from the pad, and then turn off the buffer.