The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop My First try at block sanding

Hello, I hope all is well with you all.

I am about to start my first round of block sanding. I have ordered an 11" and a 16" Dura BLOCK and was not real sure what kind of sand paper to start with. Do I order a roll of paper for the 16" block and if so what grit should I start with? Do you guys that have some solid experience have a brand of paper you would suggest I try?

I am a driveway body man so look for more input before you go with my method. That said, at the blocking stage I use 320 to start with which will knocked down most of the the peaks. Then spray more primer and sand with 320 until the low spots are gone. Then moved to 400 then up to 600. I would use the 16" on large panels and 11" for smaller panels. As far as brand, I don't know, but I would go with a wet/dry paper. Wet sanding cleans the paper and last longer.

Good luck.

i use 180 dry on a roll on the first prime then go to 320 wet on the 2nd a coat of sealer and paint will cover 320 scratches just fine I use Mirca sand paper it lastes longer than 3m and cost less. i would also recommend the 6 piece dura block set it helps with the details

You can also do a light mist with a rattle can the area to be sanded with a highlighted colour this will show up any low spots when you block sand..

I was doing that and found it to clog the paper quickly and I had to wait before sanding. Then I learned about "3M dri-guide coat" which is basically like copier toner that you smear on with a sponge applicator. It showed exactly where to sand and where it was perfect. Never again will I block without using it.

Curt B.

If you have a spray gun setup, I have the 3M PSS system, I mix some black lacquer primer and keep it in a spray cup. I mist this on my grey primer as a guide coat. It's cheap, it dries really fast, it doesn't clog the sand paper and it's handy.

Block with 360 wet or dry, either way. Once you have the surface RIGHT, block with 400 wet. All you will be doing with the 400 is removing the 360 scratches.

Wash with Dawn dish washing liquid and rinse. Blow all the water off and dry with clean towels.

Wipe area off with Rubbing Alcohol followed quickly with clean dry cotton rags.

Tack surface with tack rags you opened the day before. Apply one coat of Epoxy Sealer and let cure.

Tack rag again and apply base coat.

Keep it simple.

Frank

Tack