Can someone explain how to properly sand when doing bodywork or prepping for paint. I keep reading this sand at 45 degrees and can not visualize what they are talking about. Do you hold your block at 45 degrees to the horizon and push the block parallel with the ground (front to back of car)? Or are you pushing perpindicular to the block but at a 45 degree angle up and down? I am just totally lost in this discreption and almost need a better description or some type of visual. I also hear to sand in an x pattern but that still does not explain how to hold or push the block. Thanks for any help.

I just did a complete how to thread. Its on here.

If your sitting in front of your fender. Mentally draw an X on the fender. Now holding your block parellel to the floor, follow the lines in the X.

sand this way //////// then this way \\\\\\\\\.

it makes an X and your high spots get sanded down and your low spots show up.

If I understand this right, your saying to hold and keep the long edge of the sanding block parallel with the floor as you sand up and down at an angle.

yup, you got it.

Heres a little more

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Use a sanding block, probably a nine inch will work, then sand it in a x pattern, take a two or three foot section for starters, start sanding at the 2 and 8 on a clock, that angle, up and down the side, then go to the 10 and 4 on the clock, like an x, go 2 or 3 feet down the side, just for starters, up and down about a dozen times should get you 2 or 3 feet down the side, then go down it again 180 degrees from what you just did. Thats your x pattern.

First find any body lines, and stay away from them as best you can, you will sand them away, then you will have to make new ones with filler.

A good way to find high and low spots, is stretch your arm out, then feel along the panel, if your arm is outstretched you can feel it better then just rubbing your hand right in front of you.

This is just basic stuff, I'm just an amateur not a professional. It might help you get started, also keep asking questions, you'll be glad you did in the long run. Good luck

Rob

I just did a complete how to thread. Its on here.

If your sitting in front of your fender. Mentally draw an X on the fender. Now holding your block parellel to the floor, follow the lines in the X.


fishin4info,please forgive my intrusion on your thread,I have a question for Mikeremains,assuming we are using the longest,straightest possible board we can find and sanding in the "X" direction on flat panels only? which there arent very many truly"flat" panels on a camaro,but my question is......what does one do or how do you pick and choose your blocks shape and size when he approaches the fenders lip with a sanding block ? I talking about the body lines that curve out or in,or any compound body line for that matter,there seems to be alot of them, I ask because I have almost finished blocking my car and have been wondering if "I have done it right or screwed it up?" I have been switching to a smaller block sander for the tight areas (unsure of myself if thats right) that sweep out or in, and even a round block 3M foam tube with paper wrapped around it trying to follow the contours, I have been doing this but it doesnt mean that I am doing it right! Its kind of hard to explain what I mean, but basically I am asking how do you blend the flat panels into the (curved) panels in one continuos plane? The change in contours was making my confidence level fall!!

fishin4info,please forgive my intrusion on your thread

No problem late 68! I got my question answered and its a good place for you to get your sanding questions answered too. I have purchased the 15" adjustable flexible sanding block and the dura-blocks from Eastwood so far in collecting tools. The Dura-Blocks come in varying shapes, sizes, and hardness and look like the will work well on some of the contours. I am hoping the Adjustable flexible sanding block will work well on the roof, hood, doors, and parts of the quarter panels unless I am notified otherwise. I have not heard much about the adjustable sander but it looks like it will work the same as a long block sander like I have seen others use. I am a long way away from sanding but was just preparing.

use a sfexable block around the contours. Just dont press hard. By pressing hard you are altering the shape of the block. You want the block to do the work.

Have you read my How To?

In my How To, i stress the use of a Guide Coat. Are you using one?

use a sfexable block around the contours. Just dont press hard. By pressing hard you are altering the shape of the block. You want the block to do the work.

Have you read my How To?

In my How To, i stress the use of a Guide Coat. Are you using one?

Yes, I always use a guide coat,check my pics with a link to them, I did use the flexible pad, but I wasnt sure if I was supposed to.I always thought there was some secret magical tool or way of doing things to get these cars lazer straight when blocking.

nope, just a magical sense of feeling in your hand. In time you will be able to feel just about any imperfection with your hand.