Auto Body term "Blocked"

[Deco]

I've heard the term for years but don't know what it means. Please enlighten me

[toddallen]

After painting, the surface has small imperfections (highs, lows, orange peel, particles, etc.). They take a block and wrap it with very fine sandpaper (I think over 1000 grit), and hand sand all these areas so to make the finish very flat. This will make the car dull, so they will polish it out with polishing compound which will bring back the shine to the totally flat smooth finish.

[black63lincoln]

blocked can also be the same method todd mentioned while priming the body...
the bodyman shoots a coat of primer then blocks it out with a long board until he runs into a high or low spot that can no longer be sanded..
he then reapplies primer and repeats the step until the car is straight with no break through in the primer and no low spots showing

my car was blocked and primed 5 times before it was straight..

[Barry Wolk]

Blocking is done in the primer stages. No amount of blocking will fix a finished paint job that has a poor underlayment.

[toddallen]

And after...

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/megk2000.html

[69lowlinc]

pre paint blocking could be either puddy or high build primer usually up to 600 grit. after clear "blocking" or " color sanding" orrr "cuting" is in incriment lowest 1500 i usually use 2000 first followed by 2500 then buffed.

[continental]

Exactly