Handy tip for sanding

[Doug in NJ]

I just finished wet-sanding all the primer on my car body. I found one product that was really helpful for sanding around all the moldings and reveals:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Softie-Yellow-Sanding-Block/SBS-203050,default,pd.html

These are rectangular foam blocks about 1"x1"x4" with a smooth, fine abrasive. They are soft, but are very durable, and the abrasive lasts a long time. They are also totally waterproof. I got a 10-pack at the local beauty supply store, and I needed about that many to do the entire body.

It says that they are 220 grit, but they seem more like 400 grit, and leave the primer (K36) as smooth as the 400 paper I used on the flat areas.

Doug

 

[Dennis/Arkansas]

Thank you very much for the tip. I have a 1940 Ford Panel body to do and these should come in very handy. The price is defintely right! Dennis/Arkansas

 

[wrndln]

Doug,
I am about ready to start the final primer (K36) sanding on my special coupe. I think I will give your suggestion a try. It sounds like a nice way to finish tight areas.

Here is another sanding tip that Fordbarners might like to hear about that are doing bodywork. I was have a terrible time trying to sand fairly curved areas on my coupe like the top of the quarter panels, gas tank, etc with the larger and wider rigid sanding blocks. I use Rage Gold filler. I don't like to use much filler, however some filler is almost unavoidable. Several months back, a fellow, with a lot of bodywork experience, told me to cut a piece of 1/8" thick ABS plastic to about the same size as a paint stirring stick and use it as a "sanding block". You wrap regular 8 1/2" x 11 sandpaper cut in half lengthwise, usually 80 grit for rough in sanding, and sand like the thicker and wider K blocks, Dura blocks, etc, except the ABS will flex much better than the bigger sanding blocks to follow the curves better. I tried it and it made the sanding much much easier with a lot better results. The ABS is strong, but flexible. I wish I had learned about this earlier and it has helped me a great deal on sanding curved areas. It even works well on a little larger curved areas. Hope this helps someone.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

Harbor freight has good foam sanding blocks in fine medium and coarse. They are really good for block sanding,