• Classic cars periodically need to be repainted to stay in top condition.a car in a car show image by Gary from Fotolia.com
  
  If you are going to paint your vehicle yourself, or just want to save money when you are having your vehicle painted, you can sand down the old paint yourself using specialty sanding tools. Before you paint your car or truck, you have to sand down the current paint and finish to get a fresh, clean surface to work with. Tools designed especially for sanding automobiles can make the job easier and more efficient.
  
  

Sanding Blocks

• Sanding blocks are thick, flexible blocks of sandpaper that can be used to fine tune the sanding process right before painting. These are used instead of hand sanders because they help prevent uneven sanding that can be caused by an irregular surface. You want the surface of your vehicle to be as flat and smooth as possible, otherwise the final product will appear uneven and pitted. An uneven paint job will reflect light strangely if you are using a glossy paint and give your vehicle the appearance of being dented.
  
  

Sanding Boards

• Sanding boards are specially designed long boards that can be used while sanding to ensure straight lines. Sand paper with an adhesive back can be stuck directly to the sanding boards. The more even your sanding lines are, the more consistant your final paint job will be.
  
  

Hand Sander

• Hand sanders are pieces of sandpaper with a strap designed to fit your hand. These are very flexible and can be used for sanding tight spaces. These are good for areas like the door jambs, wheel wells and trim.
  
  

Power Sanders

• A power sander is commonly used to take off large amounts of paint quickly. They do not provide fine or detailed sanding but can be used to get a large job started. You may want to use a power sander to remove the first several layers of paint if your vehicle has been painted multiple times and has a thick overall coating.
  
  

Shop Vac

• A shop vac can keep sanding debris from entering the air. This is important, especially with older paint that may have harmful components in it, such as lead. You do not want to breathe in paint particles and dust, so periodically using your shop vac can help keep potential air contaminants and irritants to a minimum.