Getting ready to paint, need advice Options

[swood]

I've got a '75 Palma Green Metallic that is almost ready for new paint. I'm in the process of sanding down and priming. My question is with this metallic paint, is it best to go with a two stage color then clear coat than a single stage? My understanding is that you can't color sand with the metallic fleck in it. But I don't know so that's why I'm askin. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

The attached photos are what I want the car to look like again.

[swood]

As I do more sanding, i'm really loving this cars curves, talk about getting intimate with it. What I'm wondering is what would the average size block be for sanding the tight curves such as the tops of the front fenders? I have an air board for the larger flat panels, but getting the tighter curved areas even is surely an art in and of itself. I have a handful of those small foam sand blocks that i like to wrap a piece of sand paper around. They're about 2 1/2x 4" and 3"x5". I think i can get a nice groove going and sand the curves nicely but not sure. a guide coat would help. Just asking for some advice in advance.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[Cheapsnake]

As I do more sanding, i'm really loving this cars curves, talk about getting intimate with it. What I'm wondering is what would the average size block be for sanding the tight curves such as the tops of the front fenders? I have an air board for the larger flat panels, but getting the tighter curved areas even is surely an art in and of itself. I have a handful of those small foam sand blocks that i like to wrap a piece of sand paper around. They're about 2 1/2x 4" and 3"x5". I think i can get a nice groove going and sand the curves nicely but not sure. a guide coat would help. Just asking for some advice in advance.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

I've found that the best sanding blocks are the ones you cobble together from common materials. That way you have an infinite choice of sizes and flexes. For flat surfaces I used a 3x12" piece of pink insulation board, 3/4" thick. It seemed to have the perfect flex and it'll work on 90% of the body surfaces.

On concave surfaces, between the front fenders and hood I used a piece of 3" foam pipe insulation. You might want to insert a piece of PVC to stiffen it up a bit but I found that by leaving it hollow I could change its shape to fit a multiple of curves. I installed flares and this piece was very useful in shaping and finishing the transition to the body.

Always sand in an x motion with the sanding block's length perpendicular to the curve of the body.

You've got the the right mojo going there, slow and deliberate, because once you pull the trigger with the expensive stuff you don't want any regrets. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Good luck.

Tom