Appreciation post: Hand-sanding a fender changed my view on prep work

I've been fixing up an old sedan in my spare time. Last weekend, I decided to hand-sand a fender instead of using a da sander. The slow pace let me feel every curve and spot high points I would have missed. It took forever, but the primer laid down perfectly. Now I'm wondering if I should do more by hand. What's your take on manual vs. power tools for body prep?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylan_smith361mo ago

Man, I hand-sanded my truck's tailgate for the tough spots and it just turned out better.

tyler61mo ago

Totally get it, @dylan_smith36. For those tight curves, those little rubber sanding blocks are a game changer.

cameron7471mo ago

Does hand-sanding actually work better for tight spots? I've found rubber blocks give a more consistent finish because they flex into curves. Hand-sanding always leaves my fingers sore and the surface uneven. Last time I did a guitar body, the block made all the difference.