how the hell do i prep for paint??

[JAXXX]

im preping a white fender for paint to go on my tri coat red mustang the frnder has one small ding (not creased) and a few smaller paint chips where i cans ee bare metal

the guy at the paint supply place said to rough it up with scotch pas till dull
1 how dull does it need to be
2 what do i do about the small paint chips currently there if im only getting off clear coat?
3 is there a better way to do this its my first time ever doing paint on a car!

 

[5.0ina66]

I'd rather use 400 wet/dry sandpaper in hot water with a couple drops of soap myself, it does a better job of scuffing the surface IMO and does it faster...I've not ever been that impressed by the 'good ole rusty and trusty' scotch pads.

For the chips, I'd sand them 'til the edges are feathered and you can't feel the edges with your fingers.

Who's doing the priming/painting and surface prep? If it's you, there's a lot more to do than just that.