Cut durablock in half for clear wet sanding

B

Brad J.

Oldtimer
I use 12" durablocks for wet sanding but never found a longer flexible block that I like for 800/1000 wet sanding clear on contoured surfaces. I took a 12" block and ran it through my bandsaw cutting the factory moulding line. This gives me a longer block that is about 1/2" thick that still cuts flat while making contours. The next one I might cut 3/4" thick for a little more rigidity. I like this setup and if you haven't found a good setup for this type of blocking then you might sacrifice a block also.
 
x2 on the 1 inch block. i have a few of those laying around. 1 is fairly new that is more rigid. others i've had for a few years that have become more flexible. both perfect for vettes.
 
I have a few around also but I haven't found one longer than 6". I used it on the roof of my gto yesterday and it almost doubled the speed because I have to use two hands to do it and it cuts a lot larger area. I'll be cutting more of them up so I'll go thicker next time.
 
A tip for durablocks, don't trust them to be flat.
I put sticky back roll sandpaper (80 grit) on a flat surface
and run the Durablock over it. It really trues it up nicely.
 
JC, I do that with all blocks and boards-most of them aren't flat and straight.
 
Honestly, since Durablocks, by design, are not stiff, I don't see any advantage to truing them. If I want something that is truely straight, I use the yellow plastic borad from 3M. I check them regularly to make sure they are true.

Aaron
 
I only use my AFS sanders for bodywork. I only use the durablocks for blocking the clear. I would use the AFS for clear but the metal base is so unforgiving if you get a grain of something between the two it scratches the heck out of the clear much deeper than the durablocks. The cut down durablock also works great for 400 sanding the last coat of primer on a contoured surface. I just needed/wanted a longer version of a foam block and couldn't find one. This is the best one I've found for the two purposes and I have a whole drawer full of blocks.
 
Brad J.;9003 said:
I use 12" durablocks for wet sanding but never found a longer flexible block that I like for 800/1000 wet sanding clear on contoured surfaces. I took a 12" block and ran it through my bandsaw cutting the factory moulding line. This gives me a longer block that is about 1/2" thick that still cuts flat while making contours. The next one I might cut 3/4" thick for a little more rigidity. I like this setup and if you haven't found a good setup for this type of blocking then you might sacrifice a block also.
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Great Idea !
 
my favorite is the 11x3/4x1 3/4 . it is great for curved surfaces . it's about all i use on corvettes .
 
Home Depot has large paint sticks for the 5 gallon buckets of paint that work great. Just cut them down to the needed size.
 
Shine.... That one is great for curves. I use it regularly at work on wheel well areas and sail panels. Blends the curves in perfectly. Just make sure the paper is only attached on one side.

Aaron
 
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