Can we talk about hand sanding vs. machines on body panels?

Last week, I was fixing a fender and the machine sander left swirl marks all over. I switched to hand sanding with a block, and it came out smooth. I know most shops use machines for speed, but I think hand sanding gives you more control. On curved panels, machines can dig in too deep. Hand sanding lets you feel the surface and avoid mistakes. What do you all think? Am I just stuck in my ways, or is there still a case for hand sanding?

3 comments

3 Comments

caleb8261mo ago

Yeah, machines on curved panels... that reminds me of the time I tried to cheat on a quarter panel with a dual action sander. Totally feathered the edge right out because I couldn't feel it dipping. Went back with a block and some 400 and saved it.

dakota4221mo ago

Man, that's rough. I've been there too, rushing on a curve and paying for it later. I mean, one thing people don't always mention is how much your lighting and where you stand mess with your sense of the shape. If the light is flat, you'll miss those dips even with hand sanding, and then you're just guessing. Maybe it's just me, but I double check from every angle now before I go too far with the grit.

tarac471mo ago

Hand sanding for the win. Try hand sanding on a hood with tight curves sometime. You feel every dip and rise that a machine would miss. Like @dakota422 said, lighting matters, but your fingers tell the truth. I fixed a door last month where a machine sander left low spots. I used a block and 320 grit, followed the shape by feel, and it blended perfect. Machines are fast for flat spots, but on curves, hand sanding keeps you out of trouble.