What is the maximum thickness of filler you can use?
What is the maximum thickness of filler you can use and have a good repair? – You want to keep it to an 1/8 inch of thinner, 1/4 inch at the most if there is no way to get the metal any smoother than that. Think of the filler as polyester surface enhancer, and not dent filler.
How much filler do I need to keep lines smooth?
– You want to keep it to an 1/8 inch of thinner, 1/4 inch at the most if there is no way to get the metal any smoother than that. Think of the filler as polyester surface enhancer, and not dent filler. Are there any tips for keeping body lines crisp when filling around them? – Yes. The best thing to do is use some masking tape.
What type of filler do I need for bodywork?
If you need to rebuild a corner area, a high-solids, super-strong filler will be needed. When doing bodywork on a seam – like a roof/sail panel seam – a metal or carbon-fiber-infused filler is needed.
How long does it take for body filler to thicken?
If your filler hardens too fast, you used too much, if it takes too long, you didn’t use enough. You only want to mix what you can use in about 10 minutes. Properly mixed, body filler will begin to thicken in 10-15 minutes, and be fully cured in 30. The general rule is to add a line of hardener across the diameter of the filler pool.
What is the maximum thickness for body filler?
1/4 inch4. Apply a thin layer using firm pressure to ensure maximum adhesion being sure to “wet out” the surface completely. Apply additional filler in layers, building up the damaged area higher than the surrounding surface. Maximum filler thickness should not exceed 1/4 inch.
How do you apply Bondo to a large area?
0:508:27How to Get Large Areas of Body Filler Straight with a Bondo Hog - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStraight the first thing is to always use fresh sharp new sandpaper. And this is 40 grit. So that itMoreStraight the first thing is to always use fresh sharp new sandpaper. And this is 40 grit. So that it cuts through the filler and it doesn't just ride. Over.
What grit does body filler stick to?
80 grit sandpaper is the most common for shaping body filler. It's a great grit to cut and shape your body filler and sand down rusted body panels.
Can you put too much hardener in body filler?
If you add too much hardener, the mixture will gel too quickly. If you add too little, it increases the amount of time for it to cure, and if you don't add enough it will never cure. If you add 1 line of hardener across the top of the dollop of Bondo, it takes about 15 minutes to dry after applying.
Can you Bondo big dents?
Even some major dents can be treated with car dental fillers. Unfortunately, filling compounds such as Bondo also present some drawbacks. Fillers like Bondo can crack if they are mixed too thickly, harming rather than improving the look of the car.
How do you fill deep holes in Bondo?
4:235:57Can Bondo Fill Holes? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe second one would be fiberglass to seal it off and then apply some body fillers to help smooth itMoreThe second one would be fiberglass to seal it off and then apply some body fillers to help smooth it out on top of that and the third you know just do the entire.
Can I use body filler on bare metal?
For small repairs, you can bog directly over the bare metal. If the repair is larger, or you're looking for a longer-lasting job, apply a base coat of epoxy primer before laying on the filler.
Can body filler be applied over primer?
Applying body filler over epoxy primer provides maximum corrosion protection for the metal. Apply filler within seven days of applying epoxy primer to maximize adhesion.
Can you apply body filler over sanded paint?
Can they be applied over paint? A. Evercoat fillers are designed to work over bare, properly prepared substrates such as: steel, aluminum, galvanized metal, fiberglass, and SMC. Fillers and putties will normally work OK over properly sanded (80-180 grit) cured OEM paint.
How can I make my body filler spread easier?
6:1417:11How To Apply Body Filler – Tips for Mixing & Spreading - Eastwood LiveYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you're doing filler you always want to knead it you want to be able to just pull it throughMoreSo when you're doing filler you always want to knead it you want to be able to just pull it through to get yourself that nice consistent mixture that way you're not introducing.
How long should Bondo dry before sanding?
When used according to the manufacturer's recommendations, Bondo takes 10 to 15 minutes to dry enough to form a sandable surface. After 45 minutes it's cured enough to be painted.
What is the best surface to mix Bondo on?
1. Mix on a Spreader Mixing Board designed for the job. Do not mix on cardboard, cardboard will absorb the important resins from the body filler and hardener. Lay down your filler and then apply the correct amount of hardener.
Do you need to use a lot of force to apply filler?
No need to use a lot of force, or try to apply a lot of filler. The first coat can even be just like a primer to establish the bond between the metal and the filler, and the next layer will just stick filler to filler.
Can you use lead in polyester filler?
There is really no reason to use lead now with the polyester fillers being as good as they are, and if you try to apply the same techniques you have used for lead to modern filler your repairs aren’t going to come out too good. For instance, this dent is over a 1/2 inch deep where the hammer hit it.
What is the most common mistake when using body filler?
Getting The Most Out Of Body Filler. The most common mistake when using filler is under catalyzation. Folks looking for longer work times, don’t add enough hardener and think it will sand easier. This is the single-worst mistake to make, because the filler never gets hard enough.
What is reinforced body filler?
Reinforced Body Fillers. These are body fillers that contain strands of either fiberglass, Kelvar, or carbon fiber. They are used for major repairs when filling holes, or fixing shattered or torn fiberglass panels. The fiberglass products are divided into short-strand and long-strand.
Why does paint stain with filler?
Filler staining is also something to consider. Staining is caused by a chemical reaction between the filler’s resin or hardener and the paint. This can be minimized by using a quality filler. Workability means how easy the product is to work with.
How long to knead resin before using?
There’s usually a layer of resin on the bottom of the can. If the filler comes in a pouch, knead the pouch for a few minutes before squeezing out the product. And always knead hardener tubes before using. Most products have a tech sheet available on the manufacturer’s website.
What is fiberglass filler used for?
It’s excellent for use on panel-bonded seams, weld areas, door edges, and areas prone to water exposure. Using fiberglass fillers gives extra strength to repaired areas. Some technicians will apply a layer of short-strand fiber to an area, and then apply a layer of premium filler to smooth the surface.
Do fillers clog sandpaper?
High-quality fillers will also level out flat, cure quickly, and are the easiest to work with. They powder nice and tend not to clog up the sandpaper. When you’re trying to get the side of a car flat and straighten up the body lines, this is what you need to be using.
How long to mix filler?
If your filler hardens too fast, you used too much, if it takes too long, you didn’t use enough. You only want to mix what you can use in about 10 minutes.
How thick is bondo?
Thickness. There is no minimum thickness for Bondo, but there is absolutely a maximum. You do not want to apply body filler to anything that is thicker than about a 1/4”. That does not mean it can’t be done, but the repair will not last as long. Eventually the filler will shrink and possibly crack or even fall off.
Can you slap bondo on a smooth surface?
Do not slap Bondo onto a smooth painted surface , it is not going to stick very well. The paint should be sanded off, to the bare metal, and then apply the filler. A 36-grit to 180-grit surface is ideal for body filler application.
Can you feel where the metal stops and the filler begins?
You should not be able to feel where the metal stops and the filler begins. Any defect you see or feel in the filler will be amplified when the paint is on the body, so check the panel repeatedly. Large repairs require extra effort, as you can easily get waves and ripples in the bodywork when working a large area.
Can you knock off filler?
Using light pressure, you can knock off large amounts of filler to rough-in the shape needed before the filler hardens, making sanding more labor-intensive. The key to a quality repair is seamless filler work. The edges of the filler should feather out to the existing panel.
Can you use body filler on rust?
Body filler is not good for rust repairs. You cannot slather some Bondo over rust and expect it to stop the rust or stick to it for that matter. For rust repairs, you must first remove any scale from the metal. If there are holes in the metal, you are much better off cutting it all out, patching it with new metal, and then working the body filler from there. If you absolutely must use body filler to make the repair, then you should remove all the scale, add a backup screen to cover the holes from the back side, then use Bondo Bondo-Glass over the rusted area, sand and finish out with regular Bondo body filler for a stronger repair.
