Absolutely use a sanding block. You can get them in various lengths, but the type made of a hard rubber compound with a slot in each end with the "tacks" to hold the paper works best for me.(4-5" long block,the type that you can squeeze and feel it give, not the hard plastic type.) If you cut your paper the right way,(across the short way) you can get about 4 pieces out of it just right for these blocks.(they usually sell 1000grit and lighter in half sheets, so you'll only get half as many pieces). If you have tight spots or slightly curved spots to deal with, take a paint stirring stick, cut it off about 3-4 inches long (about the same width as your sanding block)wrap the sand paper around it and use it for a block. NEVER wet sand with your fingers and paper only, unless it is just not practical to get to it with a block. You can't achieve a smooth, flat surface with your fingers and paper, it may appear you will, but it don't work that way. USE A BLOCK...With the light grit paper, you are not going to cut too much, but don't get radical and stay in one spot too long, it is sand paper, and it will eventually cut thru if you stay too long in one spot. Once again, the block will help you over come this. Tape your edges and high spots with masking tape so you dont sand over them, you can always lightly sand those areas after the remainder is done to your satisfaction. An edge or peak in a fender will sand off before you realize it, the tape helps prevent that from happening. Do the same thing when buffing, it also works there too. Speaking of buffing, let the buffer do the work, don't bear down on it and dont concentrate in one small area, you'll either burn thru or heat the paint and pile it up like waves. Use the buffer at a slight angle so the front half of the pad contacts the surface, not the entire pad. You are not waxing, you are buffing. I use a Chicago Pnuematic CP685 air polisher rated at 2500 rpm with different foam pads made by SCHLEGEL. The black pad=heavy cut, yellow=medium cut, green=light cut/polish, blue=soft polish, white=final finish. This subject is one of those things that any number of people could tell you how to do, and they would all answer you differently...and they may all work just as well. My way isn't perfect, it IS time consuming and a lot of work, but, it works for me, and if you do it like I have said, it'll work for you. Just don't expect it to happen in a couple of hours...or even a couple of days if you are new to it. Take you time, be careful, and you can make you paint look like a million bucks for just a few dollars worth of investment and a lot of elbow grease....