Focusing Your Attention Where?

[Len]

Back when I was a younger guy I frequented ski slopes in Canada. One of my instructors told me something that I found very helpful in auto body repairs, spray painting and many other challenges that I've dealt with since. My ski weeks consisted of ski school because I wanted to improve my technique and the concept that drastically improved it was the instructor saying "Transfer your focus from your feet to where the ski contacts the surface." With a little practice I was able to do this and it took me from a novice to almost an expert in a very short time.

In auto restoration this same concept applies in many ways. When board or block sanding you need to transfer your focus to the place where the tool contacts the surface. Watch and feel the action and it's effect on what you're doing and adjust your position, pressure, angle, grit etc. to get you the result you want. Early in the filling process it's not as critical as it is later when the more slight variations in the surface are more difficult to decipher.

When spraying paint you need to focus on the texture of the paint you're applying to the surface as it's being applied. One of the things that a supplied air breathing system allows you to do is to relax and enjoy the experience (and the challenge) of proper spraying without being uncomfortable or having to move or leave the room too quickly to save your life.

When color sanding and polishing hardened paint into a beautiful glass-like surface you need to be quite aware of the results your actions are having on the surface. The right tools, materials and techniques all have a place (or places) where you should be focusing your attention and that is almost always where they are most effecting the finish you're trying to achieve.

I hope you can get as much from this focus as I have over the years. It can help you in many ways.

Another thing that made me ski better was that the pretty Canadian girls were hanging with the guys that could ski well. Opps! I lost my focus.

canadian.jpg

[auto5]

Len and the Zen.

[Len]

Over the years I'll bet I've taught hundreds of people to do this type of work and the ones who didn't understand where to apply their focus and what was required to change the result, rarely produced a decent job. Once in a while they may get lucky but most of the time the result was unacceptable. Unfortunately many of these "students" worked for me. :confused:

What made me think of this was another thread where someone mentioned using a pneumatic straight line sander and having the metal push in under the pressure. Man if you don't see how this can negatively effects the action you're not focusing your attention in the right place.

[Steve g]

Len, you are so right. When I read post from newbs looking to find out what machine is the magic bullet for making the perfect paintjob I know they aren't getting it. You need to learn by doing it by hand to start with. I liken blocking to sculpting. Every stroke is purposeful and directed. You're sensing the pressure you're applying and the contour you're following. It's not about putting paper on a block and going as fast and furiously as you can then standing back to see what's happened. Once you've mastered this skill you can use a machine to save your arms, but you're only able to do that because you've learned to keep that focus at a faster pace and "feel" the progress through the machine.
As always, Good advice.
Steve g.

[SHOWCAR FINISH]

Back when I was a younger guy I frequented ski slopes in Canada. One of my instructors told me something that I found very helpful in auto body repairs, spray painting and many other challenges that I've dealt with since. My ski weeks consisted of ski school because I wanted to improve my technique and the concept that drastically improved it was the instructor saying "Transfer your focus from your feet to where the ski contacts the surface." With a little practice I was able to do this and it took me from a novice to almost an expert in a very short time.

In auto restoration this same concept applies in many ways. When board or block sanding you need to transfer your focus to the place where the tool contacts the surface. Watch and feel the action and it's effect on what you're doing and adjust your position, pressure, angle, grit etc. to get you the result you want. Early in the filling process it's not as critical as it is later when the more slight variations in the surface are more difficult to decipher.

When spraying paint you need to focus on the texture of the paint you're applying to the surface as it's being applied. One of the things that a supplied air breathing system allows you to do is to relax and enjoy the experience (and the challenge) of proper spraying without being uncomfortable or having to move or leave the room too quickly to save your life.

When color sanding and polishing hardened paint into a beautiful glass-like surface you need to be quite aware of the results your actions are having on the surface. The right tools, materials and techniques all have a place (or places) where you should be focusing your attention and that is almost always where they are most effecting the finish you're trying to achieve.

I hope you can get as much from this focus as I have over the years. It can help you in many ways.

Another thing that made me ski better was that the pretty Canadian girls were hanging with the guys that could ski well. Opps! I lost my focus.

canadian.jpg

Amazing post! I really liked this line and know exactly what you're talking about....

"When board or block sanding you need to transfer your focus to the place where the tool contacts the surface. Watch and feel the action and it's effect on what you're doing and adjust your position, pressure, angle, grit etc. to get you the result you want. Early in the filling process it's not as critical as it is later when the more slight variations in the surface are more difficult to decipher".

I do exactly that with filler, hi build, buffing, and mainly everything. And exactly how you said it with say blocking the hi build. If you focus on the pressure and feel the curves than it'll be straight as can be. I like to block filler/primer with 2 hands to distribute the weight more evenly. When I paint my body is animated to get that even pass like a robot arm. My distance is about 6 in. and focus is the key to change on the fly. To bad I never get to paint at work.:mad:

[Serge]

He he...Len, you know you are realy getting old when you start posting Zen master like posts...

It is so true though...inconsciously that's what I do...I often tried to explain here how I looked at the spray of my paint gun deposit paint on the surface like rain and how you look at the droplets of paint being deposited merge together into a film...enough droplets and you have a perfect film, not enough and you get dry spray...too many and they pool into runs and curtains...the secret is being able to keep your attention on the entire surface...inch by inch...if you start thinking about your past sins you goof...

Same with sanding...

Interesting post...

Did you guys get Kung Foo with David Caradine in the states?...Remember the old chinese master?

'Yes glasshopper...let the sland plapler slide, feel the sclatches with your heart...'

[Mooch]

I sometimes find myself floating above the car in an out of body experience.

That way I can watch what Mooch is doing .

Lets not make it rocket science fellas. Were talking about doing body filler and it isn't hard to do . I will agree you need the proper tools but after that ,the only thing you really need is patience .

No disrespect ZEN MASTER LEN.


Mooch

[Len]

I sometimes find myself floating above the car in an out of body experience.

That way I can watch what Mooch is doing .

Lets not make it rocket science fellas. Were talking about doing body filler and it isn't hard to do . I will agree you need the proper tools but after that ,the only thing you really need is patience .

No disrespect ZEN MASTER LEN.


Mooch

You can apply filler and sand then apply filler and sand then do it again and again but until you do it properly it won't matter what tools you use the result won't be right. While I agree that patience may allow you to repeat the process a thousand times, it won't improve the result if you keep using a poor technique and part of getting it right will be learning how and where to focus your attention.

[Serge]

Breathe with us and set your spirit free...feel the <clear flowing> vibrations...

Len is realy trying to put in words what he as learned through action...very difficult to do...I think its a very good post, many newb don't realize that there is no magic bullet, trick or machine that will do the job...Like you say, patience and conscience...

Gee...now I see a Cheech and Chong scene in my mind...psychedelic man...

[Mooch]

You can apply filler and sand then apply filler and sand then do it again and again but until you do it properly it won't matter what tools you use the result won't be right. While I agree that patience may allow you to repeat the process a thousand times, it won't improve the result if you keep using a poor technique and part of getting it right will be learning how and where to focus your attention.

Patience to me is not doing the job a thousand times and ending up with the same results . Patience to me is slowing down and not thinking it must be done in two magic strokes of the Zen masters block .

If there is one part of this time eating work related hobby that is easy ,it is body filler . I would say to all who have trouble with filler work .Make sure your surface is ready for the filler before doing any . Use the right size block and just watch and feel what you are doing .
Never be in a hurry let me repeat that ,NEVER BE IN A HURRY .

IT is the easiest part of this hobby ,I have been doing it for 50 years .

Of course my daddy did show me how to do it .

If you have trouble with filler work just wait until you spray finish coat .

Mooch :rolleyes:

[Mooch]

Breathe with us and set your spirit free...feel the <clear flowing> vibrations...

Len is realy trying to put in words what he as learned through action...very difficult to do...I think its a very good post, many newb don't realize that there is no magic bullet, trick or machine that will do the job...Like you say, patience and conscience...

Gee...now I see a Cheech and Chong scene in my mind...psychedelic man...

Serge I'm not knocking Len just giving my opinion . Filler work should be easy for the new guys . If you cant grasp doing filler work how the hell will you lay out top coats ? Forget primer a chimp can shoot primer .

Cheech and Chong was based on my youth . Man those were the days my friend .

Mooch

[SHOWCAR FINISH]

I sometimes find myself floating above the car in an out of body experience.

That way I can watch what Mooch is doing .

Lets not make it rocket science fellas. Were talking about doing body filler and it isn't hard to do . I will agree you need the proper tools but after that ,the only thing you really need is patience .

No disrespect ZEN MASTER LEN.


Mooch

hehehe. He's right though. Less waisted strokes, even if we are talking filler. It applies to nearly every process. The point of contact should be your main focus. Painting it's how it's laying out/flake distribution distance, and also to keep an even keel, and you gotta adjust on the fly. I want a nice tool box so I'll be painting soon on the side. My co worker has a booth and it's a go!

[68ragtop]

This is an interesting post.

I have found that when I wold relax & paint something that was not real important, I had great results. Years back, I repainted a fender for a guy that was very fussy, & the car was a local "hotrod" that he showed & a lot of people I knew saw the car from time to time.

I was never so nervious, because I could not stop thinking "everyone" would see it when it was done. Needless to say, I had some problems spraying the clear. I found myself not keeping my head in the paint laying on the panels, & I was thinking "don't mess it up" & that's exactly what I did. I got it right eventually, But I definatly took my myself out of the "zone" while spraying & paid a price for it.

Good topic

Carl

[Serge]

It seems that the less careful jobs I do all come out perfect...I guess I am running on instinct and stay 'In the zone'....

As soon as you try to over plan, be extra careful or some thing like that, you eventually make a mistake...instead of concentrating on the work at hand, you think about the outcome and are not attentive...

[Hexhead]

66rag top

You hit the nail on the head. The harder I try, the worser I do! Relax and Patients I feel are the key. I've always had a thing for the twilight Zone!!