How Do You Use Bondo

Only mix as much as you can use in 10 minutes, since Bondo hardens quickly and you don’t want to waste it. Once you’ve mixed the Bondo and hardener, apply the mixture in thin coats about 1/8 inch thick and press it down into the cracks. After 10 minutes, use 36-grit sandpaper to smoothen out the surface.

How do you use Bondo body filler?

How do I prepare for Bondo?

First step: Prep the Surface Before applying, paint needs to be sanded to the bare metal. Make sure to sand outside of the repair area as Bondo will need to be spread and applied wider than the damaged area. (36-grit to 220-grit should do the trick for body filler application).

Can Bondo be applied over paint?

Bondo Ultimate can be applied directly over sanded and cured primer and paint. This filler remains easy to sand for days after the application.

Do you have to prime over Bondo?

Do You Need To Prime Bondo Before Painting? To help your top coats adhere to the metal, you should use a “direct to metal” primer (DTM), but it is not usually necessary under body filler. Once the metal is primed, you can apply a “filler primer” (2K) to hide scratches and minor surface scratches.

How long does Bondo take to dry without hardener?

That said, having an idea of how long bondo takes to dry is important whenever you’re planning out a project or repair. 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.

Is Bondo difficult to use?

Don’t be afraid to use Bondo, as it is a good quality product that is a must-have for any body repair project. And don’t worry if you screw up, you can always sand it off and start over.

Should you prime before body filler?

Do not proceed to Primer Filler stage until filled area is even. Adding body filler AFTER primer filler should be avoided to prevent possible adhesion, staining and shrinkage concerns.

Is Bondo hard to sand?

Once the Bondo cures, it’s time to sand. The lightweight Bondo Gold is far easier to sand than the heavier type, so consider using the good stuff on the way out. Use a tack cloth to remove any dust between coats.

What’s the best Bondo to use?

The Best Car Body Fillers 3M Bondo 261 Lightweight Car Body Filler. Permatex 25909 Liquid Metal Filler. Evercoat 156 Lightweight Car Body Filler.

What is the difference between body filler and putty?

Putty is essentially a thick paint with a filler material – it’s generally used for very small scratches where the metal is not exposed. Air hardening. Body filler is a polyester resin suitable for small dents. Chemical hardening, a cheap and easier (by a long way) substitute for body solder.

How long can Bondo be left unpainted?

Between life and work, the longest time period the bondo would go Unpainted would be about 2-3 weeks.

Do you remove paint before using body filler?

Before adding any filler, you should get the metal fairly close. Also, before stripping any paint, run a metal body file or sanding board over the area to show high and low spots.

Does body filler have to be applied to bare metal?

Q. Can Evercoat fillers be applied over bare metal? 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 long should Bondo dry before painting?

Allow the putty to dry 15 minutes at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). In cooler climates, putty may take 20-30 minutes to dry.

What happens if you put too much hardener in Bondo?

You need to be sure to add the right amount of hardener to your Bondo; adding more than enough will cause your body filler to dry faster and give you less time for shaping and laying your filler on your panels.

Will filler go off without hardener?

Wood fillers can be used to reinforce softwoods or rotten woods structurally. However, this is usually only a stopgap without using a hardener as well. You can use both in conjunction to save ancient, fragile woods.

What is wrong with Bondo?

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. Additionally, there’s a risk of discoloration and poor long-term wear when you use a dent repair filler like Bondo.

How much hardener do you put in Bondo?

Mixing is the most vital step when using body filler. Plastic body filler needs the filler and a hardener mixed at the perfect ratio. The mix is crucial: 50:1.

Can you put body filler over rust?

The mere application of body filler over a substrate won’t stop rust, Miller said. Fillers might contain corrosion resistance and slow the process, “but they’re not gonna stop it,” he said. Put filler on rust, and “(the rust) may continue to grow,” he said.

Can you put body filler over etch primer?

Once the epoxy primer is down you no longer have to worry about rust while doing your repairs – especially since you can apply body filler right on top of it. Then simply respray the areas you worked on to re-seal them.