[ckucia]

I'm doing some bodywork on a Sebring Convertible.

Here's a pic I pulled off the web...


I had some damage on the edge of the trunk lid that meets the tail light. I've repaired it and put on some filler, so I'm trying to block it.

Having a problem in the small area between that edge and the license plate housing (which I have removed).

It curves both horizontally and vertically. My sanding blocks are pretty much useless.

Have a Durablock "rod" that I thought would help as it's flexible, but when I wrap my paper around it, it stiffens up.

This is probably obvious to a lot of you, but what's the technique for blocking an area like this? I'm stymied trying to find a solution.

[DR327]

Martin Senour (NAPA) and a bunch of others make a soft block. Wet sand with it. If your using real coarse paper soak it in water (with a drop or two of dish washing liquid in it) and it will soften. I do bikes and they all have those little tight places.[IMG]

[ckucia]

I'll give it a try.

Soaking the paper might help with what I have now. The Durablock rod conforms exactly as I need, but the sandpaper doesn't without wrinkling which then gouges.

I was somewhat successful dry sanding with 80 by cutting a 1/2" strip of adhesive paper and putting that on the rod, but when I changed to wetsanding, the strip wouldn't stay on very long, probably because the rod unflexes when I let go, the paper slips, then water gets behind the adhesive.

I think my problem with the rod is it has too much "memory" - always wants to unflex back to straight. Maybe using a piece of hose that is already close to the right curve would work better with a strip of adhesive paper...

I'll stop by NAPA and see what they have. I have to do some work on the bumper cover, and those compound curves are even more prounounced on the corners, so I need to find a good solution.

[tech69]

Here's a video on compound curves. hope it helps


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKN4UNLijQc

[swvalcon]

Sometimes I will take and old auto trader type magazine roll it up wrap it with 2" tape and use that as a block.

[mr4speed]

A thin piece of 1/16 lexan about 7" inches long and 2 1/4 wide would form perfectly to that and stay flat while you block.

[swvalcon]

Or just take a wood paint stick and wrap it with stick-it sand paper I do it all the time.

[DR327]

All these folks are correct. Any shaped object that fits (or will conform to) the area to be sanded is fine. I have just had better luck (with the coarser grit paper) wet sanding after soaking. A drop of dish soap just helps any paper stay cleaner and cut better.