Noticed a huge difference in my filler work after switching sanding blocks

I used to just use a flat board for everything, figured it was good enough. Then I picked up one of those contoured blocks from the hardware store in Cleveland last month. The before and after on a quarter panel repair was night and day, it saved me almost 20 minutes of hand finishing. Has anyone else found that a specific block shape really changed their results?

3 comments

3 Comments

abby_fisher2d ago

You really think a fancy block made that much difference? I've been using the same flat board for years and my work comes out smooth as glass.

blairm772d ago

Feeling you on that, it's always hard to switch up what works.

the_drew2d ago

Have you tried the flexible sanding sponges too? I used to be like abby, swore by my flat board for everything. But after doing a roof skin repair where the curve was tricky, the contoured block saved my ass. The trick is matching the block's shape to the panel's curve, not just using any random one. I keep three different blocks now, one for tight curves, one for shallow ones, and a flat one for big flat areas. It does take a bit to figure out which one to grab, but once you do, your filler work lines up way better with the body lines. Worth grabbing a cheap set to test, your mileage may vary but for me it cut down on mud work by a ton.