I am currently doing bodywork on my '68 hardtop getting ready for a color change.

What are the opinions out there regarding long sanding boards? I am using the 3M Stikit sheet rolls which are 2-3/4" wide. So far, I have not needed a long board in prepping for my primer. But I will soon be doing the roof top, hood, etc., not to mention all the block sanding in my future. Am I right in thinking a 17" board will be the best? I am not a pro, so I don't need something that will last forever, just long enough for my project and will do a good job without costing a fortune. Also, how flexible should it be?

Thanks,
Dan

I use the white plastic 17" board with the 150 grit sticky paper on a roll. I like the plastic one because you can bend it a little to the contour of the body. When you sand go back and forth then move the board at a 45 degree angle.

I also used the 17" plastic board with great results on larger areas. I took paint sticks (flat straight like a ruler) and wrapped the sandpaper around them (length wise) so it looked like a giant nail file. Using my fingertips, I used these as a flat sanding board for smaller areas. I just worked 45* one direction then 45* the other. Worked out great and my fingertips were raw.

sounds like that's the way to go! thanks guys.