Preferred sanding block?

[timmycharger]

So, Im a few weeks away from blocking the quarters and Im curious as to what guys used to block it out. Right now I have a hard foam, sort of flexible block, its about 18 inches or so, a small hard rubber 3M flat on one side curved on the other, and 12 inch rigid wooded handled block.

thanks guys

[b5blue]

I found "Soft Sanders" blocks very useful on many of the compound curves of a 2nd gen. Charger. 
http://www.softsanders.com

[timmycharger]

  excellent thank you, that's what Im thinking!

[jaak]

I also found the round durablock very useful in several places, when I was blocking my car.




Jason

[Charger-Bodie]

My favorite sanding block is the one someone else is using.... I like the dura blocks. My favorite is the 18 inch that's flat on one side and half round on the other.

[jaak]

My favorite sanding block is the one someone else is using....

LOL...Now there is a true statement!

Jason

[Patronus]

Get the dura block kit, that way you have them all. Id have to say my personal fav is the longer rectangle one. 

[jaak]

Get the dura block kit, that way you have them all. Id have to say my personal fav is the longer rectangle one. 

Yeah, I have that one also.... it was used more than any of them.

Jason

[Indygenerallee]

I have the Dura block kit, best blocks out there, I have a couple other sets but they are my favorite.

[73rallye440magnum]

It's important to have a full arsenal of blocks.

Balsa wood (if you haven't tried it yet, you should!)

AFS Blocks

http://adjustablesander.com/products.html

Durablocks


Use your tools properly. Block in a cross hatch pattern and do not concentrate on one area, rather the entire panel and all of its transitions.

Approach not utilized as frequently as it should be- orient your block vertically every so often. You want your panel straight along its length as well as its height.

Why height? This is another place that 'cottage cheese' 'mottled' look can come from once a panel is sanded and buffed.

[hemi-hampton]

I like the Dura blocks Myself, they make a extra long like 3 feet long Dura block too but it usually needs to be special ordered. I worked at one Shop where they hated the Dura block or anyblock & insisted that I & everybody else use one of their homemade blocks they called a spline. It was basically a long peice of plastic or clear plexiglass with a round plastic tube epoxy glued to top for a handle. The long thick plastic ones with no flexibility worked good on long straight panels. You could make them in various different lengths or widths & thickness. Some of the smaller ones no handles at all, more like useing a paint stick. LEON.

[timmycharger]

Great replies everyone, thank you. the longer block I have is a durablock which worked great on the decklid and hood as they were nice and flat. Im looking closely at the soft sanders type or similar ones that have the same characteristics. 

[beedees]

While we are on this subject, what do you guys use for a wet sanding block on your final primer coat?

[73rallye440magnum]

http://3mcollision.com/3m-wetordry-sponge-pad-20-05526.html

[73rallye440magnum]

I like the Dura blocks Myself, they make a extra long like 3 feet long Dura block too but it usually needs to be special ordered. I worked at one Shop where they hated the Dura block or anyblock & insisted that I & everybody else use one of their homemade blocks they called a spline. It was basically a long peice of plastic or clear plexiglass with a round plastic tube epoxy glued to top for a handle. The long thick plastic ones with no flexibility worked good on long straight panels. You could make them in various different lengths or widths & thickness. Some of the smaller ones no handles at all, more like useing a paint stick. LEON.

Yes! Paint sticks are great!

[timmycharger]

Ok, I think I found exactly what Im looking for, not sure if anyone else tried this, but my office is in the middle of a move to another building and tons of stuff are being tossed in the dumpster.  I found a couple of the gel wrist rests that are about a 16 inches long, pretty thick yet very soft and pliable. The bottom is rubber coated and looks to be the exact size of the sandpaper.  Im going to give these a try as they are free but I was messing around with them last night w/o paper on the quarter of the Charger and they contour perfectly.. Dunno maybe a silly idea but why not? 

[jaak]

Ok, I think I found exactly what Im looking for, not sure if anyone else tried this, but my office is in the middle of a move to another building and tons of stuff are being tossed in the dumpster.  I found a couple of the gel wrist rests that are about a 16 inches long, pretty thick yet very soft and pliable. The bottom is rubber coated and looks to be the exact size of the sandpaper.  Im going to give these a try as they are free but I was messing around with them last night w/o paper on the quarter of the Charger and they contour perfectly.. Dunno maybe a silly idea but why not? 

Thats not a silly idea. In fact some of my blocks aren't actually blocks at all. Of course I do have some durablocks, and a few others, but I also have, pieces of pipe, hoses, wood, etc. that have specific purposes when I'm block sanding.

Jason

[b5blue]

Dino recommended paper towel tubes also. I work in logistics and some of my most useful blocks were from foam packing for parts. I'd try all different types as some were more compressible and some could be carved into the shape I was looking for with a filet knife. 

[timmycharger]

Great points guys, I like the pipe/paper towel tube idea, could have made the deck lid "spoiler" area easier to sand.  That gel wrist pad worked really well on the hood.  I was able to cut it with a razor into two perfect size blocks. I used it for the deck lid too, but I think something round would have helped on the transition area.  Now Im looking around my  house for other stuff, the wife is going to be missing some stuff in the kitchen