Blocksanding a body line

[soundcontrol]

Damn I suck at this!
Trying to get the body line straight, it's very difficult, I brushed on the subject in my Barracuda resto thread, but now I was gonna try to get it right.
i watched a lot of videos, looks fairly easy, just put a tape on the line and sand to the tape line....

I did that but I need some more detailed tips on how to get it straight, how exactly do you sand, I used a long block and tried to sand along the tape line, but its hard to keep the block straight  when sanding and it gets bumpy, I either sand on the tape or not close enough...
Then I move the tape and sand the lower part, and there I can not use the long block since its close to the wheel lip and has a curve.
Tomorrow I'm gonna go buy more filler and try again, ran out.

For those who read this and have not seen my thread (https://forum.e-bodies.org/your-restoration-project-roseville-moparts/10/barnfind-1970-barracuda/15122/),
it's not a serious restoration, just quick fixing a ratty Barracuda for the summer, I do this so I can learn, and possibly do it on my Challenger later.
(but that not looking like a job for me right now  )

[Rich G.]

I tape the entire body line and put filler on the entire body line. Don't try to do a spot here and there. Use a guide coat to see the highs and lows. Then move the tape to the side you sanded and do the same thing . Longer the sanding block the better. Take your time, move in an X pattern. And you'll get it. When you're close to being good use a finer grit sandpaper and even thin the body filler a bit on a skim coat. Guide coat is the key.

[YellowThumper]

@IMNCARN82 had an extensive writeup on body lines when prepping his for paint.

Wish I could offer help. Will be there someday.
Watches a show on that the other day and they had it knocked out in like 22 minutes... 

[Northcuda]

I am wholeheartedly with you because I have just finished on my Barracuda. Very complicated when you are not a specialist 

[soundcontrol]

I tape the entire body line and put filler on the entire body line. Don't try to do a spot here and there. Use a guide coat to see the highs and lows. Then move the tape to the side you sanded and do the same thing . Longer the sanding block the better. Take your time, move in an X pattern. And you'll get it. When you're close to being good use a finer grit sandpaper and even thin the body filler a bit on a skim coat. Guide coat is the key.

Do you put the tape on before adding filler? That would create an edge right.
When you sand in an X-pattern, does that not rip the tape edge when you go over it? I see on YT that people sand over the tape when they do this.
I have a 20" long block, I did some X-pattern sanding and also ran the block parallell to the tape as close as possible.

[soundcontrol]

@IMNCARN82 had an extensive writeup on body lines when prepping his for paint.

Wish I could offer help. Will be there someday.
Watches a show on that the other day and they had it knocked out in like 22 minutes... 

C'mon over, I have beer!   

[soundcontrol]

I am wholeheartedly with you because I have just finished on my Barracuda. Very complicated when you are not a specialist 

Looks good! What kind of block you use to sand with between the wheel opening and the body line?
Some Cudas I 've seen has sharp lines, others seems to almost fade out right over the wheel opening.

[Northcuda]

Not too unhappy with the result! 

[Northcuda]

I used an aluminum slide to fill the body line.

[Rich G.]

Put the tape on after the body filler. Your sanding to the tape line not really on the tape because the tape is actually on the opposite side of the body line. That's why you switch the tape after you finish the first side of the line. After you got it I very lightly hit the edge to level any little spots. (Very lightly) Your pretty much sanding most of the filler off just leaving  a very thin coat other then the usual door dings your filling.

[soundcontrol]

This was before I tried to "fix" it today. It's worse now. 
Oh well, I'll try again, and again....
Won't be as nice as Norhcuda's, but I hope to get it better at least.

[Rich G.]

You'll get it , it's not that hard. This is what the guide coat does for you. If you don't have a nice line now you will be able to see it.

[YellowThumper]

@IMNCARN82 had an extensive writeup on body lines when prepping his for paint.

Wish I could offer help. Will be there someday.
Watches a show on that the other day and they had it knocked out in like 22 minutes... 

C'mon over, I have beer!   

Sounds like a solid plan. Someday...
Actually could be possible. Company I work for purchased a Swedish company. I am working on some tools (plastic injection molds) for them now. Typically we send people over about once a year.

[Northcuda]

You'll get it , it's not that hard. This is what the guide coat does for you. If you don't have a nice line now you will be able to see it.

Very nice result Rich G, 
I am far from having your mastery.

[torredcuda]

get it as close as you can before using tape, the tape is for final "tuning", use a guidecoat whenever you have a problem feeling or seeing your high and low spots or lines. For around the wheelwells or other areas a long block doesn`t fit I use variuos size dowels out of heavy cardboard or wood, I have a selection of different lenghts and diameters, some guys use paint sticks but not me. Of course always sand in an X pattern.