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hello all. what is the best type of electric sander to use to smooth out the old paint so i can paint over it? or does it take ol fashioned hand sanding to do it smoothly? thanks!

It depends on what you're sanding. I use a 1/4 sheet palm sander (electric) to do much of my sanding. It takes time and multiple grits of sandpaper but works.

However, I don't know the correct answer.

There is no "correct" answer, but I do have questions about what you are doing and why. Painting involves a lot of hard work. To get a good paint job, the old paint must have good adhesion to the metal, no rust underneath, and it must be stable (not breaking down especially to UV rays). Unless the paint is in good condition and there is no rust beneath it (not likely on old trucks) I would recommend removing the paint completely, either by chemical (stripping) or mechanical (sanding, blasting) methods. Add to that a coat of good primer (I prefer an epoxy) and you will be on your way to a long future with your new paint job.

Now if you are trying to sell the vehicle, it's an entirely different story.

As for sanding, many use an orbital sander first going from a medium to a fine paper. In-line sanders are a great help, too, but sanding with rubber backing blocks by hand is tough to beat, especially for the final smoothing. You might want to post this question in the paint & body forum, there are some there who are far more knowledgable than I.

Dewalt palm sander is one of my best tools in my arsanal! I have sanded cars, body filler I even used it to finish dry wall mud! I have striped furniture and wood doors in the house stained them then polyurathaned them. Used it there too! I have dropped it kicked it sometimes at the sametime. hasnt missed a lick! And it was only bout 50 bucks Dan

If your priming orbital or palm sander are okay, but under finish coats I'd agree with Fred T that block sanding gives smoothest finish. Block sanding lets you see highs and lows in paint. Also helps to mist a contrasting color over primer when you sand, high spots come off first low spots show up.

i don't know! the old paint seems really tough. i was thinking of fixing the holes and getting rid of the surface rust, but not removing more "solid" paint than i have to. by no means will this be a show truck with an expensive paint job, but i do want it to look good. i have a dewalt palm sander but it really does take a while on some things. i also use a drill and sanding disks. i guess i was wondering how the orbital sanders worked cause i never used one. thanks everybody!

Air powered orbital sanders work faster than there electric cousins do. I have an electric 6" orbital sander, sands nice but not as fast. The only thing with a DA (orbital sander) is it require a decent size compressor, most DA need 8-11 cfm at 80 to 90 psi.

I have never liked using electric or air powered sanders for preparing a vehicle for a paint job. Nothing beats wet sanding by hand for a smooth finish. It is a lot of hard work, but the results are worth it.

[ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: bigbassmann ]

Based on my body and paint man's advice, I bought a Dual Action orbit air sander from Harbor Frieght for $20. He says to use 80 grit to knock the old paint off, then go with finer grits. Hey, I'll try it, can't go wrong for the price.