body work 101: tools of the trade?

What kind of tools do you body workers use for straight edges etc.? I have used everything from scrap steel to an aluminum square to a 2x4 and the other day I realized how well a wooden yardstick works as a straightedge. I have never done body work for a shop or really been taught but I've been doin it for awhile. Do any of you guys have a trick to doing the job right on contoured surfaces like roofs?

a hutchins hustler straight line sander best there is i think

your hands. i use 2 paint sticks taped together. i also have a small foam pad for contoured stuff.

Go to east wood they got some good shit for doing body work, nice flexible longboards and soft blocks

paint sticks work great....

i like the durablocks myself, and i have a few of the regular old board files with the wooden handles.

I started wif air sanders but it took so long now i use a block sander and my hand it gets it done faster and a whole hell of alot better looking