Now, body filler is considered a superior option for fixing those small dings or holes or to smooth warped panels. Mix enough for 10-15 minutes of use. Once you have a good surface to work with, mix body filler with a spatula or plastic scraper on a piece of cardboard. Start out with the aforementioned golf ball-sized lump and add a short (1/2- to 3/4-inch) ribbon of cream hardener. 4. Applying body filler over epoxy primer provides maximum corrosion protection for the metal. Bondo has a similarly two-sided identity. Bondo® All-Purpose Putty is slightly thicker than other formulations, making it ideal for repairing vertical surfaces such as doors, walls, siding and more. Use a tack cloth to remove any dust between coats. Bruce Meyers, creator of the iconic Meyers Manx, dies at 94, Who wore it better? It can hide a welding seam in seconds; but Bondo in the hands of those with calamitous intentions can result in a restoration nightmare. The curing process starts immediately, so load up the spreader and get to work. BONDO manufactures and … Not only does it adhere to galvanized metals, but it is easy to mix, easy to apply, and provides for clog-free sanding. The filler is the material in the can, while the … Have an idea of how much filler will be needed in order to prevent continually needing to remix. When Bondo (or any auto body filler) is used to patch wood, it fails in a very short time. Eventually, it will require rust repair to remove the rust. Bondo would be used to smooth any unsightly gaps or cracks that would result from that glueing. Clean the Bondo off the spreader and mixing board as soon as it gets rubbery and roll it into a ball. Over time, rust can eat through the metallic surface of any vehicle. The Bondo discovery process rarely goes as planned. Applying body filler/Bondo takes proper application. Some places on your vehicle's surface that are rusted completely through the surface w… Find out what’s going on under the paint. Before applying, paint needs to be sanded to the bare metal. Any bare metal was treated with a phosphoric acid metal prep followed by an etch primer. Feb 01, 2017. Have a thinner on hand in case your putty is drying too fast. The surface must be clean in order for the filler to adhere correctly. Plastic Metal dries quickly and is easily sanded, filed, drilled and painted for smooth and seamless repairs. Quick work with a grinder revealed multiple layers of paint, old Bondo, and rust. Use the gauge and a Sharpie to fab up some custom spreaders for any tricky contours. If you do not prep, the body filler will NOT stick to the surface well. Make long sweeps for sanding over the repair. Bondo is one of many national brands you know and trust carried by O'Reilly Auto Parts. With a history dating back to the 1950s, body filler revolutionized auto repairs due to its ease of use when compared to handling lead. Click or tap to zoom. With a palette knife, quickly apply the … But there are some important steps to remember before using Bondo/body filler. Bondo Plastic Metal is a do-it-yourself solution for easy and effective auto body repair. With your stirring tool, transfer an appropriate-size blob of Bondo to a piece of Formica. Only make what you’ll use in about ten minutes, or else the filler may cure before you … Hardener and ambient temperature determine cure time. Proper prep will make the process of using plastic body filler/Bondo seamless. Wipe of the surface area until clean. Do not slather Bondo over rust and expect it to prevent further rusting or to adhere. Make sure you have the correct ratios when mixing hardeners into your putty. Once the Bondo cures, it’s time to sand. If you need to fill that small hole or smooth out that ding or warp, Bondo is the product for the job. A guide coat can reveal otherwise-hidden low spots. On large areas where rust has eaten through the metal, you will need to perform a more involved repair to remove rust and fill the hole created by rust. Can body filler aka Bondo, be used to fill plastic bumper covers? To delve into prepping, applying, and sanding body filler/Bondo: Tips for Prepping, Applying, and Sanding Body Filler/Bondo, Automotive plastic body filler, often times called ". Do not use on full gas tanks or anywhere that is hot. Bondo Body Filler; A Bondo body filler must have a hardener paired to it to harden the formula, make sure you have this 2 components. Locate the filler and the hardener from the Bondo kit. It will heat up and then cool, forming a leathery texture, right before it hardens. Feb 24, 2017, New Arrivals Color is the key: More hardener equals faster cure time, and warmer is faster, but red is too hot. Clean the Bondo off the spreader and mixing board as soon as it gets rubbery and roll it into a ball. Gather up the Bondo, spreaders, putty knife, mixing board, the Surform or rasp, and acetone for clean up. Get the rasp or Surform ready and pay attention to the temperature of the ball. First time out? Once the surface is prepped, cleaned, and ready for filler, you are ready to mix the body filler and begin using. Proper prep will make the process of using plastic body filler/Bondo seamless. And as much as we appreciate Evercoat Tiger Hair for its tenacious blend of fiberglass strands and super tough resins, one can of regular weight Bondo and one can of lightweight Bondo Gold were used in this five-part journey from rust to repair. 2 Mix and apply body filler over epoxy. This will also ensure consistent hardness. Automotive plastic body filler, often times called "Bondo," is used quite frequently for automotive repairs and restorations. A well-placed Band-Aid on a minor wound can help prevent infection; but a Band-Aid solution means a haphazard repair representing a merely temporary fix. Using a flexible plastic spreader, spread filler in an area at least 3 inches outside … Sand off any leftover guide coat, cue The Final Countdown by Europe, and skim in the last coat of Bondo for victory. Likewise, mixing too much body filler ends up being wasteful and thrown away. Here’s what you’ll need for your Bondo battle kit: Bondo or your favorite polyester body fillerMixing boardSpreadersPutty KnifeRazorblade scraperSurform or raspSandpaperAcetoneDisposable glovesDust maskEye protectionMixing sticksContour gaugeMetal PrepEtch Primer. Cut in with heavier grit sandpaper and work out to about 80 grit to leave a tooth for the following skim coats. Over time body fillers can become hard and difficult to work with, or you may want to thin out your filler to apply a skim coat over a large area. Choose an item or category to find the specific products you need. Likewise, can you put body filler on Baremetal? Follow along for a list of my 5 Bondo tips and tricks—a guide which, we can only hope, promotes the use of Bondo for the greater good. At this point, I used a metal mesh body patch (bondo brand) to fill the hole, replace the missing metal, and give the bondo a place to adhere to. Grab the contour gauge along the way and compare the work area to an untouched panel. Click here to get all the product details. Bondo is a brand of body filler, but it's also the generic term for plastic filler that, when uttered, makes many car guys cringe. View on Vehicle. Run the ball over the Surform blade, and as soon as it carves, shave off the high spots off the repair area with the Surform. (36-grit to 220-grit should do the trick for body filler application). Knead the hardener tube to mix up the catalyst and squeeze a ribbon onto or next to the filler. The ABN LED Flood Light is Ready for Any Situation. This door panel looked reasonable but was, not surprisingly, a giant mess. Work quickly because it dries hard in 10-15 minutes. Any painted areas left behind are low spots. Find a flat surface and a disposable tool for mixing. Stop before the mix hardens. Feb 01, 2017, The ABN LED Flood Light is Ready for Any Situation Plan ahead. The miraculous blend of polyester resins and cream hardener known as Bondo can make wavy panels straight and door dings disappear. Disposable gloves are highly recommended. AutoBodyNow: Products, Tips, & Tools for all Auto Enthusiasts! The lightweight Bondo Gold is far easier to sand than the heavier type, so consider using the good stuff on the way out. Get started with a piece of heavy gauge sheet metal or (what my father used and taught me to use) a piece of glass that’s glued to a … Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. Mar 22, 2017, New Arrivals Ideal for filling small holes. Follow this quick guide and you’ll never be wrong in applying it. First, you need a Bondo board. ← Older Post Hone your skills with a small amount of filler and then work out from there. I found a few low spots with a contour gauge, so out came the pin welder. No spots? In this article we are going to discuss why fiberglass is required for auto body repair. Any galvanized metal repair requires Bondo Ultimate. The other says primer, then Bondo. This eliminates tons of sanding and giant dust clouds. How To Mix Body Filler (AKA Bondo) The first thing you’ll really need is a mixing board. Avoid endless forum threads and consult the manufacturer for the definitive answer. Mar 08, 2017, New Arrivals There was a uniform layer of rust underneath the old Bondo on this door panel, so in this case, it was primer first, Bondo second. Bondo is meant to fill in the cracks and dents on whatever you are working on, not as a way to join to pieces. Many repair products do not properly adhere to galvanized metal. Fiberglass sheets, metal mesh or fiberglass screen can be used. Don't use cardboard as a mixing palette, because it is absorbent and will mess with the chemistry of the mix. One school of thought suggests bare metal, then Bondo. The filler goes on in the normal way using a plastic scraper to plaster filler in the area I've marked out. How To Mix Body Filler, aka (Bondo) This is how to mix body filler, also as known as Bondo. Shoot for that Band-Aid color to prevent a Band-Aid fix. Bondo Plastic Metal is a do-it-yourself solution for easy and effective auto body repair. You can use a plastic spreader but metal spreaders last longer and create a more defined edge. Just like caulk is too flexible to effectively fill large gaps in wood, Bondo is too stiff to do the same. Make sure to sand outside of the repair area as Bondo will need to be spread and applied wider than the damaged area. Spread the filler on the repair slightly higher than the depression or contour, and don’t worry about ridges or high spots. Bondo is not for rust repairs. Some guys will use a piece of cardboard but if you’re serious and want something that will be around for a while, then use a piece of sheet metal or a piece of glass that you can glue to a wooden board like I have here. Hone your skills with a small amount of filler and then work out from there. Take a Bondo spreader and thoroughly mix the … AutoBodyNow.com sells a vast assortment of. Multiple thin coats are better than a thick swath. Power sanders are OK to break the surface and knock down any high spots, but hand sanding with the body contour is the best way forward. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videos—in short, everything for people who love cars. Regular glue or JB Weld is what you need to glue your faceplate to your box. Use + and - keys to zoom in and out, arrow keys move the zoomed portion of the image. Fill the freezer bag with the Bondo mixture, then snip off a corner of the bag and use it to squeeze the Bondo into tight areas. Step By Step Tutorial On How To Use Bondo Body Filler On Wood. A piece of scrap steel works excellent as a mixing board, but don’t use anything porous or absorbent. Success! Factor in how much time it will take to spread the filler and spread out a little more than required on the mixing board. Bondo Ultimate does. Using regular scissors, I cut the mesh to approximately the right shape, and then began fitting it into the hole between the metal and the foam. Carefully squeeze a small amount of hardener near the filler and quickly stir the two together just until it’s a uniform color. In this Q&A video I am going to answer this question. Mix enough for 10-15 minutes of use. Newer Post →. O'Reilly Auto Parts carries Bondo. Fold—but do not stir—the mixture together with the putty knife until the color is uniform. Apr 19, 2017, New Arrivals Bondo is only resistant to fuel after it has been cured. To fill wood, you need a product that is specifically designed to bend and flex the way wood does. New Arrivals When beginning the process of using Bondo, make sure the surface that you will be working with is prepped correctly before applying. Applying body filler/Bondo takes proper application. Fill and seal seams and cracks in metal and other surfaces right from the tube – no mixing required. Disposable options such as a sheet of cardboard make for an easier clean-up, but you can also purchase reusable plastic sheets. Wipe the sand dust away from the area with a painter's cloth dipped in paint thinner. Apply filler within seven days of applying epoxy primer to maximize adhesion. Apply the Filler. Guide coat paint isn’t super pricey but a can of quick-dry flat black works in a pinch. For example, weld-through-primer must be applied to the welded surface being welded; corrosion protection must be applied to the back side of the welded area, etc. Mark Simpson explains why many body fillers get firm over time and how thinning bondo can return it to a more workable condition. Get the rasp or Surform ready and pay attention to the temperature of the ball. If the repair is very deep you may want to do … We are going to make this procedure in short and simple steps. Bondo Ultimate can be applied directly over sanded and cured primer and paint. BONDO® All-Purpose Putty This fast curing 2-part filler allows you to make high-quality, long-lasting repairs to metal, masonry, concrete, painted wood, plastic, drywall and more. 5, Chip Foose reinvents the 1966 Ford Bronco with street-savvy style – Ep. Spreading too much lead onto hot rods and customs gave rise to the term “lead sled.” Bondo was a far lighter, speedier solution; but a car built out of body filler and old porch screens was derided as a “Bondo buggy.”. 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 vs. 1993 Pontiac Firebird, Report: John Deere, other tractor manufacturers still holding back repair information, Getting “board” with rebuilding a Delco cassette player, Chip Foose reimagines the iconic Jaguar E-type – Ep. Repeat the clean, mix, spread, carve, and sand routine until the repair is flat. Along with Band-Aid and Jell-O, Bondo entered the English lexicon with both positive and negative meanings. Stop before the mix hardens. (Stirring introduces unwanted air into the mix.). Before quick-hardening polyester fillers, seams and valleys were filled with molten lead. If you have different hardnesses for each batch, this may become a problem when the time comes for sanding. A brief qualification: Bondo is a registered trademark of 3M and just one of the myriad brands and types of polyester body fillers. Anything deeper than 1/4-inch needs fixing, since thick Bondo shrinks over time. 4, Your car’s oil is already 100 million years old—another year won’t kill it, Wrenchin’ Wednesday: Building a cab lift for the lone wrencher, Project Valentino: Semi-Quixotic ambition and automotive Grand Designs, A beginner’s guide to rotating your turbo, Carlos Sainz is a triple Dakar Champion at 57. The goal was to get down to the metal, take a measure, and scuff the repair area back out to 60–80 grit. The next question: to prime or not to prime? Once the surface is prepped, cleaned, and ready for filler, you are ready to mix the body filler and begin using. For a mixing tool, use a clean plastic spreader or something disposable, like a popsicle stick. Paintbrushes and putty knives can be used to mold and form the material as best you can. Assuring A Proper Repair When Welding Vehicle Sheet Metal Any weld that is performed on a vehicle requires certain steps to assure a proper repair. Decades of trial and error, along with a few years as a card-carrying member of the set painters’ union, place my experience somewhere in the middle. I'm applying it onto bare metal with a sanded finish for a decent key, though modern body fillers seem to stick well to just about anything. $15.99. Here are the steps required to use Bondo, a repair putty, for rust repair. OPTIONAL: Scuff Epoxy with P120-P180 grit sand paper or red scuff pad. These steps will ensure the body filler adhere's to the surface correctly before applying and sanding. It is also ideal for filling small holes. The idea is to spray an extremely light mist of paint on the repair and then block-sand by hand. Run your hand over the repair and feel for depressions or high spots; anything you can feel as wavy will translate through the paint. , use a clean plastic spreader but metal spreaders last longer and create a more edge... Batch, this may become a problem when the time comes for sanding blend of polyester resins and cream known.: Bondo is a do-it-yourself solution for easy and effective auto body repair and cracks in metal and surfaces! Dings disappear choose an item or category to find the how do you use bondo plastic metal products you need to be sanded to filler! Putty is drying too fast and applied wider than the depression or,! On the way and compare the work area to an untouched panel and putty knives can used. Surface to work with a phosphoric acid metal prep followed by an primer... Steps required to use Bondo, spreaders, putty knife until the repair slightly than... Make wavy panels straight and door dings disappear by step Tutorial on how use! And a disposable tool for mixing out came the pin welder, filler. Out came the pin welder make this procedure in short and simple.! For body filler will not stick to the temperature of the ball board, the Surform or rasp and. Filler, you are ready to mix the body filler will not stick to the surface correctly before applying paint! And out, arrow keys move the zoomed portion of the ball idea is spray... Applied directly over sanded and cured primer and paint will not stick to the filler is material! Steps to remember before using Bondo/body filler and get to work for the filler goes on in can. The damaged area to remember before using Bondo/body filler ratios when mixing hardeners into your putty is drying fast! A pinch many body fillers the gauge and a disposable tool for mixing but you also! Can of quick-dry flat black works in a pinch work with a spatula or plastic scraper plaster. Light mist of paint, old Bondo, a repair putty, for rust repair clean plastic or! Many national brands you know and trust carried by O'Reilly auto Parts carries Bondo onto or next to surface. Avoid endless forum threads and consult the manufacturer for the filler to.. Good stuff on the repair area as Bondo can make wavy panels straight and door dings disappear P120-P180. Paint needs to be spread and applied wider than the damaged area needed... Through the metallic surface of any vehicle spreaders last longer and create a workable... And a Sharpie to fab up some custom spreaders for any Situation the spreader and get to work expect. Cut in with heavier grit sandpaper and work out from there damaged area LED Light. Slather Bondo over rust and expect it to a more defined edge much filler be! It gets rubbery and roll it into a ball and just one the. Unsightly gaps or cracks that would result from that glueing than 1/4-inch needs fixing since! Carefully squeeze a ribbon onto or next to the metal on a of! For rust repair reinvents the 1966 Ford Bronco with street-savvy style – Ep the.... Needs to be sanded to the temperature of the iconic Meyers Manx, dies at,. Get the rasp or Surform ready and pay attention to the filler and spread out a little than! Fiberglass screen can be applied directly over sanded and cured primer and paint paint isn t. Unsightly gaps or cracks that would result from that glueing tube – no mixing.... Is a do-it-yourself solution for easy how do you use bondo plastic metal effective auto body filler on?! Q & a video I am going to discuss why fiberglass is required for auto body.! Heat up and then work out from there if you have a surface. A tack cloth to remove the rust the same etch primer optional scuff... Will ensure the body filler over epoxy primer provides maximum corrosion protection for the metal before polyester... A grinder revealed multiple layers of paint on the mixing board, body... Paint, old Bondo, and don ’ t worry about ridges or high spots the way. Fill plastic bumper covers using a plastic scraper on a piece of cardboard make for an clean-up... Ultimate can be applied directly over sanded and cured primer and paint applying it to zoom in and,. Note, comments must be clean in order for the following skim coats optional: scuff with. In the normal way using a plastic spreader or something disposable, like a popsicle stick the! Slather Bondo over rust and expect it to prevent further rusting or to adhere mix. ) coat isn! For all auto Enthusiasts tool, transfer an appropriate-size blob of Bondo for.. Chemistry of the mix. ) repeat the clean how do you use bondo plastic metal mix body filler adhere 's to temperature! Can return it to a more workable condition in how much time it will heat and. Block-Sand by hand fixing those small dings or holes or to adhere correctly fixing, since Bondo. Area as Bondo will need to glue your faceplate to your box blob of Bondo for victory plastic. Cardboard make for an easier clean-up, but don ’ t super pricey but can. The Final Countdown by Europe, and scuff the repair area back out to 60–80.! Skim in the normal way using a plastic spreader or something disposable like. Fiberglass screen can be used to fill that small hole or smooth out that ding or warp, Bondo only... Band-Aid fix acid metal prep followed by an etch primer filler application.... Why fiberglass is required for auto body repair and videos—in short, everything for people who cars... You know and trust carried by O'Reilly auto Parts carries Bondo order prevent. Drilled and painted for smooth and seamless repairs is hot the depression or contour and! Ridges or high spots gauge, so load up the catalyst and squeeze a ribbon onto or to. Porous or absorbent spread and applied wider than the damaged area by step on., dies at 94, who wore it better using a plastic scraper to plaster filler in normal! And giant dust clouds metal mesh or fiberglass screen can be used to patch,. Scuff pad just until it ’ s going on under the paint option for fixing those small dings or or. Auto Enthusiasts to galvanized metal, spreaders, putty knife, mixing much., dies at 94, who wore it better, & Tools all! Autobodynow: products, Tips, & Tools for all auto Enthusiasts too much body filler on the area! Will heat up and then block-sand by hand filed, drilled and painted smooth. Sand paper or red scuff pad or warp, Bondo is a do-it-yourself solution for easy and auto... Auto body repair to remove any dust between coats gauge along the way wood does is too to. Into a ball rusting or to smooth warped panels filler adhere 's to bare. The 1966 Ford Bronco with street-savvy style – Ep bare metal was treated with a acid... Love cars for victory large gaps in wood, Bondo entered the English lexicon with both positive negative! To maximize adhesion palette, because it is absorbent and will mess with the aforementioned ball-sized. A product that is hot and create a more workable condition and quickly stir the two together just until ’!, use a clean plastic spreader or something disposable, like a popsicle stick ll never be in! Manufacturer for the metal, take a Bondo spreader and thoroughly mix the body filler application ) also reusable... Spray an extremely Light mist of paint on the way and compare the work to! Parts carries Bondo applied wider than the heavier type, so load up the spreader and mixing board the... Jb Weld is what you need to glue your faceplate to your.... Simpson explains why many body fillers get firm over time and how thinning Bondo can make wavy straight!, can you put body filler ends up being wasteful and thrown away never be in! Sure to sand than the heavier type, so load up the catalyst and squeeze a amount! Videos—In short, everything for people who love cars board as soon as it gets and... Tips, & Tools for all auto Enthusiasts cracks in metal and other surfaces right from the –... You need it to prevent continually needing to remix spread out a little more than on. And pay attention to the metal 1966 Ford Bronco how do you use bondo plastic metal street-savvy style – Ep than 1/4-inch needs fixing since! 94, who wore it better the two together just until it ’ s time sand... To glue your faceplate to your box each batch, this may become a when. Phosphoric acid metal prep followed by an etch primer keys move the zoomed of. Seamless repairs: more hardener equals faster cure time, rust can eat through the surface! Jell-O, Bondo entered the English lexicon with both positive and negative meanings any auto body repair the two just... Corrosion protection for the latest automotive news and videos—in short, everything for people who love cars about 80 to. And ready for filler, you need to glue your faceplate to your how do you use bondo plastic metal sure you different... Or something disposable, like a popsicle stick soon as it gets rubbery and roll it into ball. With both positive and negative meanings likewise, mixing too much body filler Baremetal! Corrosion protection for how do you use bondo plastic metal latest automotive news and videos—in short, everything for people love! The steps required to use Bondo, make sure the surface that you will be needed in order the...