Bondo (body filler) is a thick polyester resin used to repair dents and scratches on vehicles. When applied incorrectly, however, body filler can look patchy or even appear discolored over time.
Utilizing proper techniques will reduce these issues and allow you to paint your vehicle again with a fresh new finish. There are three grades of body filler: standard, medium and premium.
Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is key to ensure Body Filler stays put. Care should be taken to thoroughly clean and sand off any loose dirt and grime before applying a primer to strengthen its bond with the surface. Finally, using coarse sandpaper roughen up the surface so it becomes more gripable – best done on a warm and dry day when wearing a dust mask!
Different metal surfaces require different surface preparation methods depending on their level of contamination and desired outcomes. For instance, ship hulls tend to be more heavily polluted than staircases in production plants and so you may require a more aggressive form of surface treatment like sandblasting to remove corrosion or rust from their metal surfaces.
No matter the surface you are working with, its goal should be to be as free of contaminants as possible in order to ensure quality coatings, adhesives and welds while mitigating future mechanical damage. Surface preparation methods include chemical cleaning, abrasive blasting and laser technology.
Body fillers offer an efficient and cost-effective means of repairing imperfections in your vehicle, such as cracks or gaps. They consist of a resin-based filler combined with hardener that must be mixed together; to achieve the best results it is vital that you follow all instructions on the packaging to mix in proportions that work for you; too much hardener can cause cracking while too little may prevent curing properly.
For optimal results when mixing filler and hardener together, it’s recommended that a non-cardboard mixing board be used, as cardboard can affect their chemical interactions. Furthermore, any filler projects should be undertaken on warm, dry days to help the material cure more quickly; additionally a bodywork shampoo may help clean away stubborn stains or grease before applying Body Filler.
Primer
AutoZone offers an assortment of high-quality automotive primers designed to ensure proper adhesion of paint while protecting repaired surfaces. At our stores, there is sure to be one perfect for you and your budget!
According to beauty bloggers and makeup artists, primers act like Instagram filters for the skin – smoothing away imperfections while making makeup last all day long. Plus, different formulas exist to meet specific skin type needs and concerns.
If you have oily skin, a mattifying face primer will help control excess shine while blurring primers can soften fine lines and wrinkles. There are even anti-ageing primers which will minimize discoloration and fade redness over time.
Body fillers are similar to spackle, yet designed for larger repairs. There are three grades of body filler: standard, medium and premium grade. A standard body filler consists of lightweight resin mixed with hardeners that is typically used to patch small holes, pinholes, or scratches; it requires extensive sanding prior to painting, however; additionally it does not offer great stain resistance or moisture control properties.
Medium-grade body filler is fibreglass-filled and provides a better finish than its standard-grade counterpart, making it perfect for filling small dents and cracks on your vehicle. You can spread this type of product over both metal and fibreglass surfaces; additionally, its smooth sanding surface sands away more easily than regular fillers while offering less stain resistance than premium fillers.
Premium-grade body filler is a reinforced polyester filler with an increased resin content compared to standard or medium grade fillers, perfect for large bodywork jobs requiring excellent adhesion and stain resistance. It can be applied directly onto metal surfaces as well as over an epoxy primer. It provides excellent adhesion as well as increased stain resistance for superior stain-resistance performance.
No matter the type of body filler you select, quality primer is crucial to creating a professional finish. We recommend speaking to an associate at your local AutoZone store about which product best meets your individual requirements.
Sanding
Body filler is an invaluable solution for repairing dents and scratches as well as patching damaged panels, with its rapid application process and smooth sanding finish making repairs quick and simple. However, using body filler correctly requires several key considerations; priming the surface with quality primer prior to application ensures an even finish; using an appropriate type of body filler based on your repair project is equally crucial; with many different options available which all offer unique advantages compared with one another.
For smaller repairs, opt for lightweight body fillers like Bondo(r), Evercoat Products EverGold and Z-Grip that provide optimal productivity while offering superior results. These fillers have been developed to strike a balance between high productivity and premium results; they’re easy to work with, provide superior adhesion with most surfaces and offer more sandability and stain resistance than standard putty fillers.
If your project requires large scale repair, a medium-grade body filler might be better suited to covering multiple metal and fiberglass surfaces. Featuring reinforced aluminum content for enhanced shaping capabilities and impact resistance. In addition, this filler will withstand heat shrinkage during curing processes while being much simpler to sand than standard putty products.
When working on large and complex repairs, polyester body filler should be your go-to solution. Typically used over an epoxy primer and with its higher viscosity for easier application, polyester fillers offer smooth application that adheres well to most metal surfaces while curing faster than other body fillers – ideal for projects with strict deadlines.
As with any sanding process, it’s crucial to wear appropriate personal protective equipment during sanding – this includes wearing a respirator mask to avoid breathing in any sanding dust particles and covering surrounding areas with plastic sheeting or tarps to protect the paint job from spillage. Start off using coarse-grit sandpaper before gradually increasing finer grits for an elegant polish finish.
Filler Application
Body filler is often used to repair vehicle scratches and dents that result from accidents, weather or wear over time, making the vehicle appear unsightly. A quality body filler will fill these imperfections leaving the surface ready to repaint; additionally this type of product can repair minor cracks and rust damage.
Body fillers come with various advantages and disadvantages, so the right filler for any repair depends on its scope and purpose. Durability may be key when fixing damaged metal panels while cosmetic fixes might benefit more from products designed to make repairs simpler such as filling out minor surface imperfections or shallow dents more easily.
Plastic body filler like Bondo is a lightweight polyester-based plastic, developed as an alternative to lead body solder. Its popularity stems from its easy application over sanded paintwork surfaces, as well as its affordable pricing point.
Some plastic fillers are reinforced with fiberglass strands such as Kelvar or carbon fiber to increase their strength and make them suitable for metal surfaces. These reinforced medium grade fillers are easier to work with than standard ones and have greater stain resistance, making them great for small hole repairs or tear repairs that span both metal and fibreglass surfaces. These “reinforced” medium grade fillers can even be applied directly over stitches! They’re typically applied directly over gaps on fiberglass surfaces.
When using body filler, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Some products will need to be mixed with hardener in a specific ratio and stirred thoroughly to achieve an acceptable consistency. Some such as Evercoat Quantum1 come with cartridge dispensers which makes mixing much simpler and quicker.
Safety glasses, a respirator and gloves should all be worn when working with body filler as its fumes can be toxic to inhale. Wearing a face mask may also help, since some fillers contain chemicals which could potentially irritate both the skin and eyes if in direct contact.