If you think "abrasives" means strictly sandpaper, you've only scratched the surface of what's available. Here's a sound sampling.

For sanding curves and contours, it's hard to beat a pneumatic sander. These inflatable sanding drums conform to curves, so you're a lot less likely to flatten a flowing form when you only want to smooth it. Use these tips to put a pneumatic drum sander to work in your shop.

Seven steps to a heavenly finish.