Any defect you see or feel in the filler will be amplified when the paint is on the body, so check the panel repeatedly. Over the years he's learned what it takes to satisfy a customer. If a customer refuses shipment of an order placed online, no returns will be accepted. However, this is usually only a stopgap without using a hardener as well. For rust repairs, you must first remove any rust scale from the metal. The key to a quality body panel repair is seamless filler work. Bondo 262 can easily be applied, shaped and finished within an hour.
Using 3M Sandpaper 80 grit, sand and shape the filled area to the contour of the surface. The short answer is filler companies suggest it needs to go on bare metal, and epoxy companies suggest you put filler over epoxy so they can sell more of their product. When the mixture turns a light red in color, you've got a good ratio. For a super-smooth finish, apply a very thin layer of glazing and spot putty with your palette knife.
This article has been viewed 100,787 times. If you are using a lot of filler or doing some shaping with the filler, you can use 36-grit sandpaper when the filler is in the green stage, this is solid, slightly rubbery, but not fully hardened. 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. Work in a well ventilated space; outdoors is best. Let it thoroughly dry, then paint.
Developed in 1955, this original auto body filler formula is another way that 3M applies science to life and helps you rediscover the excitement of owning and operating like-new vehicles. All Rights Reserved. Another point to note is that the talc in body filler is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs water. Made to order items are NOT returnable. Please email us at
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It can be worked (drilled, sawed, routed, and finished) similarly to hardwood. Place your order based on product description and specification. Learn to mix Bondo and save money, as Bondo, also called body putty, is considerably less expensive than a body shop. Body filler doesnt shrink or pull away from the sides of properly prepared holes or cracks (or fender dents). Once the Bondo and hardener are mixed, you have only about 3 minutes to apply it before it starts to gel. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Wipe the filler as smooth and level as possible, but leave plenty of extra filler above the surface level to sand the repair smooth. Pinholes are caused by air entrapment within the plastic body filler and are exposed during the sanding operation of the filler by the body man. Fillers and putties will normally work OK over properly sanded (80-180 grit) cured OEM paint. This hardener is easily mixed with resin or filler; a chemical reaction creates an extremely strong, waterproof repair material.
Large repairs require extra effort, as you can easily get waves and ripples in the bodywork when working a large area. Put a piece of paper between the steel body panel and the magnet (to protect the paint), then see if the magnet sticks to the car. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Jefferson has also written 4 books and produced countless videos. 2. You also assume responsibility for insuring the returned item.Items must be returned in "as new" condition in the original packaging and have all accessories, blank warranty cards, and users manuals.A minimum restocking fee of 25% or more, depending on the item, manufacturer policies, and circumstances. This article has been viewed 100,787 times. Read and follow the directions on the container, especially the hazard warnings. Unused mixed filler will be wasted, so dont return it to the container. But there are a few key points that you should know before working with body filler: There is no minimum thickness for Bondo, but there is absolutely a maximum. I wouldn't suggest using Bondo in temperatures below 60-65 degrees.
Phil Bowie is a lifelong freelance magazine writer with three suspense novels in print. Return shipping is at your expense. What you are working with needs to be properly prepped BEFORE you apply any body filler. Where the bad reputation comes from is misuse and incorrect application. For more on Bondo, go to makezine.com/fond-o-bondo. Stir the Bondo a bit with a flat stick or a screwdriver if it has separated. Construction and Home Improvement Products, Dispensers, Applicators and Accessories for Structural Adhesives, Replacement Parts for Tape Dispensers and Case Sealers, 3M 20058 Bondo All-Purpose White Cream Hardener, 2.75 oz, Original formula for repairing dents, dings, holes, large rusted areas and scratches in vehicles, Two-part lightweight compound mixes easily and spreads smoothly, Also suitable for wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and concrete, Use during the Fill stage of the 3M Body Repair System, P.O. Our websites use cookies to improve your browsing experience. 5. Once the metal is primed then you can apply a filler primer (2K) to help hide scratches and minor surface irregularities. Now that you know a little more about plastic body filler, you can start working with it the right way. 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. Pack-n-Tape must be notified within 14 days of receiving material for return authorization. You can rest assured our experts will work to understand your businesss priorities and processes to ensure you get the products you need, when you need them. There is nothing wrong with bondo brand fillers. Stage 2 Fill. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If a product is suspect of being defective, only a portion of the suspected product may be returned until the factory completes required testing to determine if the product is within specification.
Most body fillers contain a solvent called styrene. Art recognized the impact this could have on his customer and went to work exploring any and all options. Bondo Professional Fast Dry Filler, Gallon, 4 per case, Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter! Remember adding more hardener will shorten your work time so mix and spread quickly., Your email address will not be published. This filler remains easy to sand for days after the application. It is not recommended. 1. Mix a larger amount of Bondo and hardener if the area you need to patch is larger. 5.
Applying Body Filler / Bondo The application of filler material can expose you to some hazardous materials if you do not take appropriate precautions. In theory, properly mixed Bondo can be applied in any thickness, but beware of gravity-induced sagging. We reached out to the experts at 3M and here is their reply: Bondo is designed to be used with a little less or a little more hardener, but adding not enough will cause the product not to cure and adding way too much will cause the product to stay soft. Topics such as microcontrollers including Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Drones and 3D Printing, and more. The general rule of thumb is that if the dent it deeper than 1/8 you need to do metal work first. If errors are found in our items/case or pricing, Pack-n-Tape reserves the right to honor the price or correct the error. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. 4. Weve probably all seen a car in the parking lot that looked like someone slathered on body filler with a trowel. Your email address will not be published. Body filler is not good for rust repairs. Bondo Body Filler shapes in minutes and will accept as many reasonably applied applications as required to fill holes and deep scratches or dents. With your stirring tool, transfer an appropriate-size blob of Bondo to a piece of Formica. Art (on right) going the extra mile for his customer. It will take about five minutes to mix it up and apply it. Do You Need To Prime Bondo Before Painting? How long before I can prime over body filler? Dont leave a vehicle in damp conditions with exposed body filler. Your choice here will be recorded for all Make.co Websites. 10. Put filler on rust, and (the rust) may continue to grow, he said. Fully cured Bondo is harder than soft pine, and is not flexible. I Accidentally Put DEF Fluid in a Fuel Tank. Be sure to pay close attention to your shipping address information on the shopping cart page. Dont be afraid to use Bondo, as it is a good quality product that is a must-have for any body repair project. Old school body shop techs used to melt strips of lead with a torch to fill body imperfections and joints. Hint: remove its lid and squeeze any air out to bring the hardener up to the tubes opening. Have a container of lacquer thinner or acetone on hand, as well as a roll of paper towels. You can use plastic or metal spreaders, choice is up to your personal preference. The mix is crucial. First, place the filler on the mixing board and then place the hardener. If you absolutely must use body filler to make the repair, then you should remove all the rust 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. How long does bondo take to dry without hardener? Please note that warranty periods and services vary by manufacturer and product. For more information on how to use plastic body filler, chat with a knowledgeable expert at yourlocal NAPA AUTO PARTS store. "I am repairing a boat front hull chips that are small. I agree, you can bondo in cold weather. Theres a critical point in the curing process where excess filler, while still slightly flexible, can be removed quickly and easily with a body-filler experts roughing tool of choice, a Stanley Surform. Too much hardener in a warm environment will reduce working time, but too little in a cool environment can result in maddeningly long curing times. You can use both in conjunction to save ancient, fragile woods. Container of body filler, including hardener, catalyst, or activator, Cooking spray ("Pam"), silicone spray, or WD-40, Flat stick or large flat-blade screwdriver, Get dozens of projects in every issue covering DIY electronics, 3D printing, craft, and more, Learn tips and skill-building tutorials from experts in the maker community. Put a small piece of bondo on a board and run a line of hardener from end to end. 9. how many carpet beetles is an infestation. Not to mention that lead body solder is very dangerous to work with given the need for a torch to heat it, lead fumes, and even lead dust from sanding. If a magnet wont stick to a steel body panel, it may be loaded with plastic body filler. Clean and sand or scuff the surface to prepare it for body filler it will not adhere to smooth, dirty or oily surfaces. Membership connects and supports the people and projects that shape our future and supports the learning initiatives for the next generation of makers. Dont count on unreinforced Bondo (such as 161) to be structural. After applying the first scratch coats of Bondo, sand it down with 80-grit sandpaper. 7. ShippingWe ship within the lower 48 states. Pack-n-Tape will pay for the shipping charges but it is the responsibility of the client to package the product in a suitable fashion.
Some of these are essential for the basic functionalities of our websites. If you are smoothing out a gas tank, that is great, it you are trying to fix a rusted out gas tank, this is not going to do a good job.
The Bondo brand name was created in 1955 by Robert M. Spink, just a few years after the use of lead body solder began to be prohibited. Bondo Ultimate can be applied directly over sanded and cured primer and paint.
That way making sure the metal has no moisture on it. What happens if you put too much hardener in Bondo? ConfidenceIn order to partner with 3M as a Strategic Distributor, Pack-n-Tape has demonstrated our companys strength and our commitment to providing ongoing support to our customers. Clean any Bondo on your skin and tools before it hardens with soap and water if possible, or with lacquer thinner. Before the filler is fully cured, shape and sand per the tips above, using a Dremel tool for details. You do not want to mix on something that will soak up any of the material. In 2003, he began writing tech articles for magazines, and has been working as an automotive journalist ever since. Nearly every high-end custom car or restoration has some amount body filler on it. Like most plastic body fillers, Bondo is a lightweight polyester-based plastic body filler that was originally developed as an alternative to lead body solder. 3M, auto body repair, Bondo, grinding, metal, paint prep, paint repair, primer, repair, restoration, rust, rust inhibitor, sanding, welding. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Don't use metal tools like screwdrivers to mix Bondo because doing so may add grease or oil to the Bondo mixture.