I imagine this has been brought up a million times, but I couldn't really find the info I was looking for in a search.
I'm also interested in new products.

Maybe I'm not wording it right in my search, but....

I'm about to start the filler and sanding primer process on my 69 Elky. I'm fairly experienced in this area, for someone who does this for a hobby. I've spent a good amount of time sanding wood, which is a whole different thing. I've done 4 cars, and they all came out nice.

The question I have is this. I want to buy new sanding boards. I need boards to sand the plastic, then blocks for the wet sanding. Money isn't an issue as long as it doesn't mean I'll have to mortgage my house to pay for them.

What blocks do the pro's recommend, and where do I get them? How many boards do I need? How long should they be? Can I get them in a set? I've seen the rubber blocks Eastwood sells, and they don't look like they're easy to work with, because there's no way to hold the paper. It seems like you would want blocks that are somewhat flexable but still stiff, to get it flat.

Also need block ideas for wet sanding.

I bought 3 differents sizes of the Adjustable Flexibility Sanders (AFS). Each sander has 3 removeable steel rods that controls the stiffness of the board. If you do a search for "long board" on ebay you will see some pictures of these. You can buy the whole set for about $250 or buy them individually. They use sticky back paper and worked very well for me.

Bill, move into the new century and use the sticky paper. It is much more convienent. Buy the big rolls of different grit paper and use what you need. I use the Dura blocks a lot and also the adjustable stiffness ones with the rods. You can buy whole sets of the Dura Blocks .
Ron

I have always used durabloks. I hear the adjustable bloks are great also. I have $100 in a decent setup of durabloks.

Ballistic Blocks Are MUCH Better than DuraBlocks The hand faigue facture alone made me switch. Their soft but almost unbreakable and ultralight!

Call Keith his number is on the site.

www.ballisticblock.com

As far as wet sanding or color sanding all the "Body Men" I know prefer to use a paint stick. Sounds cheesy but they all use em. They just wrap the paper around the stick and lay your fingers on it and sand. I have done it myself and it comes out flat. They also add just a little dish soap to the water they use. This is dispensed with an old dish soap bottle.
Bill

Dura blockcks for up to 180 grit then for 320 grit you should use an aluminum/wooden handle syle block to straiten out the body. The durablocks will fex too much to get it 100% strait.

Wetsnad with the litte little flexible sanding block, one side is grey one black, forget who makes it.

You CAN make a car wavy by wetsanding it. So be sure to use proper technique

In my opinion it's foolish to spend that kind of money on sanding blocks. As Whiskey pointed out, paint sticks work just as well and if you need something longer just make it out of wood. The "high tech" blocks that have hit the market recently have only been around for a few years. What do you think we all used before they showed up?

Tom

In my opinion it's foolish to spend that kind of money on sanding blocks. As Whiskey pointed out, paint sticks work just as well and if you need something longer just make it out of wood. The "high tech" blocks that have hit the market recently have only been around for a few years. What do you think we all used before they showed up?

Tom
they used the blocks made of flat aluminum with the thin sheet of foam underneath the paper. they did not used blocks of wood.

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/117365_lg.jpg

Bill,

I only used 4 sanding boards on the Charger. I used the standard old fashion 4" hard block, 6" hard block, one of those 15" flex board with the steel rods, and a 15" air board. The 15" flex board was a little pricey when I bought it at $69, but I can't complain about it. I used it more than the other 3.
Was for the wet blocking after it's painted, I just used the standard 4" block. Here is a whole kit from Eastwood....They use adhesive backed paper, works great. The paper never tears off at the edges like conventional blocks do.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=16399&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=516&iSubCat=517&iProductID=16399

I also used a mud cutter (8" DA) at times to rough out large filler areas.

i would like to find sticky wet sanding paper somewhere.

I have the AFS sanders and wont use anything but those sanders. Perosnally the durablocks suck. They are worth every penny of the 120 bucks for the set. Ive yet to see any durablock, paint stick etc cut as fast and as straight and even as the AFS do.

Thanks guys, thanks for all the replies. I't sounds like the majority of you would get the adjustable flexible sanders, for the best results. I do woodworking for a living, and I can make just about any type of wood block anyone could think of, but I still want to get the AFS blocks to see how they work. The next question would be, where would I get them? Im know Eastwood sells them. Is there a place to get them any cheaper? Is there a site you guys use for blocks/paper??

I get everything through Eastwood just because it's conveinant. They have the Adhesive backed sandapaper in 40, 80, 120, 220, 320, 400, and the AFS blocks. I haven't found them any cheaper anywhere else. It kinda reminds me, I need to make a visit to Eastwood at the Englishtown Swap meet coming up in 2 weeks. I think you will be more that satisfied with how well they work Bill.

Durablocks here. Have a large assortment from very long, to very short, tear drop, cylinder, sponge. Absolutly love them. Just use the absolute longest one you can in the area you are working

I get everything through Eastwood just because it's conveinant. They have the Adhesive backed sandapaper in 40, 80, 120, 220, 320, 400, and the AFS blocks. I haven't found them any cheaper anywhere else. It kinda reminds me, I need to make a visit to Eastwood at the Englishtown Swap meet coming up in 2 weeks. I think you will be more that satisfied with how well they work Bill.

You're right Tom. I just ordered the kit with 3 flex blocks 2 rolls of paper (120/320) and a can of guide coat. done deal.

I'm ready for a whole summer of sanding.
:hurray:
I also have access to the Dura blocks. a friend near by has the whole set.

You like doing bodywork in the summer heat eh Bill ;).

Actually the shop is air conditioned:D.
I'll keep it around 65 deg:thumbsup: on sanding days:p
Many guys have stopped in on those hot summer days and said, it's freezing in here!!

Actually the shop is air conditioned:D.

Lucky dog!!:bow:

Lucky dog!!:bow:x2

Actually the shop is air conditioned:D.
I'll keep it around 65 deg:thumbsup: on sanding days:p
Many guys have stopped in on those hot summer days and said, it's freezing in here!!

You're too spoiled Bill!!!