His work has been featured in Car Craft, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Truckin, Mopar Muscle, and many more. Applying body filler over epoxy primer provides maximum corrosion protection for the metal. Using 3M Sandpaper 80 grit, sand and shape the filled area to the contour of the surface. It is not recommended. This article has been viewed 100,787 times. Art recognized the impact this could have on his customer and went to work exploring any and all options. Why would you waste time laying down a gorgeous paint job if you know the gigantic blob of plastic body filler behind it could actually pop off in the future? Unused mixed filler will be wasted, so dont return it to the container. With stock located over 100 miles away, his customer was facing a shut down situation. Hes on the web at philbowie.com. Made to order items are NOT returnable. 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. Last Updated: September 10, 2019 With extra lead time and direct access to the latest and greatest in 3M products and pricing, we are poised to help you keep your business on the cutting edge. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Now that you know a little more about plastic body filler, you can start working with it the right way. 3M supplies premium products such as abrasives, tapes, body fillers and tools for every stage. It is formulated to be non-shrinking and permanently durable. After 45 minutes its cured enough to be painted. A tube of the hardener is included with Bondo Body Filler. How long does bondo take to dry without hardener? Air orders typically ship same day if orders are entered by 11:00am Mountain Standard Time. You do not want to apply body filler to anything that is thicker than about a 1/4. 5. You do not want to mix on something that will soak up any of the material. on Bondo 101 Basic For Working With Plastic Body Filler, Community Rallies Around NAPA Store Owners. Dont let any of this material protrude from the filler. 3. Allow the putty to dry 15 minutes at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). By using our site, you agree to our. The final stage for showroom-grade results: removing small defects, sealing and polishing clear coats and other painted surfaces. Stop when youre close to the final shape, then smooth with progressively finer grades of sandpaper. Generally, if paint will stick, so will Bondo. Bondo Professional Fast Dry Filler, Gallon, 4 per case, Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter! An American Original Born from a time when auto body repair involved heat-shrinking metal and pouring lead, our Bondo Body Filler has been helping vehicle owners and auto body professionals for decades. Image may vary from actual product. This stage includes pulling dents, removal of paint and rust and efficient, effective masking of the area. 49 Team, Elliott Rebounds After Late-Race Incident at Indianapolis, Extends Points Lead, Capps, NAPA Team Opt for Big Picture Approach in Seattle, The Big Cat Tames Williams Grove Speedway. Using it on your daily driver or project is not a bad thing, as long as you use it the right way. Clean and sand or scuff the surface to prepare it for body filler it will not adhere to smooth, dirty or oily surfaces. 2012 - 2022 Pack-n-Tape. Dont leave a vehicle in damp conditions with exposed body filler. Pack-n-Tape's founder and President, Art Cerimele, has been supplying customers with packaging products since 1990. 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. 10. Allow the putty to dry 15 minutes at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). A life-long gearhead, Jefferson Bryant spends more time in the shop than anywhere else. 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. Wear protective gloves and eye/face protection. Sand with at least 220-grit paper between coats. Using 3M Sandpaper 80 grit, sand and shape the filled area to the contour of the surface. You should not be able to feel where the metal stops and the filler begins. 3. If the customer changes their mind about an order they must go through the return policy. Your choice here will be recorded for all Make.co Websites. There are two schools of thought on when to sand filler. Look at your project to estimate the amount of Bondo needed. 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. 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. I agree, you can bondo in cold weather. Our Specialists receive specialized product training at 3M headquarters and work closely with 3Ms local product specialists. This system helps you work easily, efficiently and successfully across the entire body repair process. Pack-n-Tape must be notified within 14 days of receiving material for return authorization. I wouldn't suggest using Bondo in temperatures below 60-65 degrees. All products on this site are sold for profit. Eventually the filler will shrink and possibly crack, or even pop off! That does not mean it cant be done, but the repair will not last as long. Dont be afraid to use Bondo, as it is a good quality product that is a must-have for any body repair project. Bondo Body Filler is a two-part putty compound used to repair dents, dings, holes, rusted areas and scratches in vehicle exteriors. Caution: Bondo is flammable keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. 2. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. At this point the customer must follow our return policy. Place your order based on product description and specification. 5. Bondo doesnt dry; it cures through a heat-generating chemical reaction between the resin and hardener. Most of this comes from experience, but you can get close to the optimum mix with this tip- use 1:1 ratio of inch diameter of filler to inch-length of hardener. ShippingWe ship within the lower 48 states. how many carpet beetles is an infestation. If it starts tacking up, stop applying it or youll mess it up. If it is hotter (above 85 degrees), use slightly less, if is colder (below 65 degrees), use slightly more. For more information on how to use plastic body filler, chat with a knowledgeable expert at yourlocal NAPA AUTO PARTS store. The Best Time to Mow Your Lawn without Annoying Your Neighbors. If it's a sunny day and you can't work in the shade, then avoid temperatures higher than 85 degrees in the sun. Wood fillers can be used to reinforce softwoods or rotten woods structurally. 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. If a customer refuses shipment of an order placed online, no returns will be accepted. % of people told us that this article helped them. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If your automobile is rusty or you get in a collision and the damage isn't too extensive, you can patch the dings with a body repair product called Bondo. Fully cured Bondo is harder than soft pine, and is not flexible. Do you have to sand between coats of Bondo? Plastic body fillers are intended for small dings and smoothing out warped panels, not a major repair itself. 8. How long does car body filler take to set? Curing time depends primarily on ambient temperature and how much hardener you add. You should use a direct to metal (DTM) primer to help top coats stick to the metal but its not needed under body filler most of the time. Bondo Ultimate can be applied directly over sanded and cured primer and paint. Please email us at customerservice@pack-n-tape.com and we will call or email you with instructions in 24-48 hours. Most body fillers contain a solvent called styrene. How long before I can prime over body filler? Maker-written books designed to inform and delight! Put filler on rust, and (the rust) may continue to grow, he said. Eventually the filler will shrink and possibly crack, or even pop off! Get hands-on with kits, books, and more from the Maker Shed, Skill builder, project tutorials, and more, Subscribe to the premier DIY magazine today, Community access, print, and digital Magazine, and more, Browse and Vote on Your Favorite Projects, Learn More About the Amazing Maker Awards, Graphics and More to Help Spread the Word. With your stirring tool, transfer an appropriate-size blob of Bondo to a piece of Formica. To further avoid wasting filler, use scraps of dry wood or stiff foam to help fill large cracks or holes. If errors are found in our items/case or pricing, Pack-n-Tape reserves the right to honor the price or correct the error. 1. Body filler doesnt shrink or pull away from the sides of properly prepared holes or cracks (or fender dents). Filler is too absorbant and you can have problems getting it dry plus you could cause moisture to wick through to the metal or weaken the bond between the filler and the substrate. If you add too much hardener, the mixture will gel too quickly. After applying the first scratch coats of Bondo, sand it down with 80-grit sandpaper. Bondo Body Filler products include directions that help you easily create just the right mix for your auto repair job and allow for same-day repairs. 11. Don't use metal tools like screwdrivers to mix Bondo because doing so may add grease or oil to the Bondo mixture. When used according to the manufacturers recommendations, Bondo takes 10 to 15 minutes to dry enough to form a sandable surface. In addition, we use third-party cookies to help us analyze and understand usage. The customer is responsible for providing correct shipping address information. 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. Our websites use cookies to improve your browsing experience. In cooler climates, putty may take 20-30 minutes to dry. For example, how much hardener should I mix in with two ounces of Bondo? Bondo Body Filler shapes in minutes and will accept as many reasonably applied applications as required to fill holes and deep scratches or dents. Body filler is not good for rust repairs. It does not move or or behave like a metal body panel. 4. References. That way making sure the metal has no moisture on it. Return shipping is at your expense. Stage 3 Paint. The filler cures fast, shapes in minutes and is formulated to be non-shrinking and permanently durable. Once the metal is primed then you can apply a filler primer (2K) to help hide scratches and minor surface irregularities. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And dont forget the respirator and safety glasses, fine filler dust tend to get everywhere when sanding. This stage includes painting the area and blending and smoothing primer and paint. He loves music and musical instruments, computers, birds, electronics, furniture design, and his wife not necessarily in that order. This Simple Hack Lets You Shift to Neutral, If Your Car Battery Won't Hold a Charge, Try These 4 Steps. The edges of the filler should feather out to the existing panel. Where the bad reputation comes from is misuse and incorrect application. Weve probably all seen a car in the parking lot that looked like someone slathered on body filler with a trowel. It's an old fiberglass hull, and will be covered over with. Once the Bondo and hardener are mixed, you have only about 3 minutes to apply it before it starts to gel. Another point to note is that the talc in body filler is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs water. Larry Cotton is a semi-retired power-tool designer and part-time community college math instructor. Dont use body filler on full gas tanks, or anywhere that gets hot. Many bodyshop men of that age were not sold on the idea of using plastic body fillers, but over time, it became apparent that the lightweight, easy to use nature of body filler was a benefit over lead. Let it thoroughly dry, then paint. This fast-curing body filler spreads easily and will adhere to correctly prepared surfaces. You will want to mix on a smooth almost pore free surface. However, this is usually only a stopgap without using a hardener as well. AccessAs a 3M Strategic Distributor, we receive notice of the newest 3M products -- often before the rest of the market -- and enjoy special promotions and unique offers. Bondo is resistant to fuel, but only after it is cured. The mere application of body filler over a substrate wont stop rust, Miller said. 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. Mix Bondo outside where there is plenty of fresh air circulating, as the fumes may be dangerous. Please note that warranty periods and services vary by manufacturer and product. How long does it take boric acid to kill carpet beetles? Stage 4 Finish. 4. Only stock items are returnable depending on manufacturers policy.All products are sold with their respective manufacturers warranties. Now What? The key to a quality body panel repair is seamless filler work. The Gas Light Goes On: How Many Miles Until Empty? Body filler that will be exposed to water should be painted. Dont count on unreinforced Bondo (such as 161) to be structural. Dont confuse Bondo with JB Weld, the two are not the same. We are dedicated to bringing you value for the long haul. This is the original formula for quickly and easily repairing vehicle exteriors and other metal surfaces, as well as wood, fiberglass, concrete and more. Carefully squeeze a small amount of hardener near the filler and quickly stir the two together just until its a uniform color. 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. Applied correctly, Bondo repairs are durable and long-lasting. A project collaboration and documentation platform. Here's What You Can Do About It, 3 Kinds of Brake Noise You Should Never Ignore, Dead Car Battery? Any rust left under the filler will continue to grow, so dont be surprised if a small repair turns into a bigger problem down the road. Bringing Science to the Art of Auto Body Repair As a brand of 3M, Bondo is well known among collision repair professionals and others who are committed to helping restore the beauty and value to your automobiles. Before the filler is fully cured, shape and sand per the tips above, using a Dremel tool for details. Our entire sales staff has access to online and field-based training as well as enhanced product information. 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. What you are working with needs to be properly prepped BEFORE you apply any body filler. UnderstandingWe have dedicated 3M Strategic Account Specialists on our team, ready to provide personalized solutions for even your toughest applications. Do not slap Bondo onto a smooth painted surface, it is not going to stick very well. For rust repairs, you must first remove any rust scale from the metal. Learn to mix Bondo and save money, as Bondo, also called body putty, is considerably less expensive than a body shop. If errors are found in our items/case or pricing, Pack-n-Tape reserves the right to honor the price or correct the error. 7. Art has instilled these same values in everyone here at Pack-n-Tape and our everyday activities. In 2003, he began writing tech articles for magazines, and has been working as an automotive journalist ever since. Dont do that. Some of these are essential for the basic functionalities of our websites. Great question! In theory, properly mixed Bondo can be applied in any thickness, but beware of gravity-induced sagging. There is no minimum thickness for Bondo, but there is absolutely a maximum. Body filler is exothermic, meaning it creates its own heat when curing. Mix a larger amount of Bondo and hardener if the area you need to patch is larger. If you add 1 line of hardener across the top of the dollop of Bondo, it takes about 15 minutes to dry after applying. Returns require a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. Art (on right) going the extra mile for his customer. 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. 6. You do not want to apply body filler to anything that is thicker than about a 1/4. Box 813, Lafayette, CO, US, 80026-0813. This stage involves patching holes with reinforced filler and smoothing and shaping filler before painting. Polyester-based car body fillers just dont hold up in a wet environment. 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. Topics such as microcontrollers including Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Drones and 3D Printing, and more. You can use both in conjunction to save ancient, fragile woods. Cut and sand Once the Bondo cures, its time to sand. Save over 40% off the annual cover price for a full year (4 issues) of Make. The only time you will have problems applying filler in very humid conditions is if the metal is visibly wet from moisture. Fillers might contain corrosion resistance and slow the process, but theyre not gonna stop it, he said. Large repairs require extra effort, as you can easily get waves and ripples in the bodywork when working a large area. Before adding any filler, you should get the metal fairly close. Customer must notify us within 14 days of receiving product if there is a shipping error. There is not a more maligned automotive product than bondo. Buy plastic body filler at hardware stores, auto-parts stores or discount department stores. Use During the Fill Stage of the 3M Body Repair System Even a small repair can seem complex at first. Without it the bondo wont get hard. These are very coarse grits and should only be used in specific areas where you really need it since it will leave sanding marks. Do not whip the body filler while mixing it. There is nothing wrong with bondo brand fillers. 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. Our onsite expert works to understand your businesss priorities and processes, so you get the solutions you need, when you need them. Simply troweling on the filler may look like the easy button, but that slab of filler may decide to fall off some day (weve seen it happen). Use a slow and deliberate figure-X pattern, wiping the filler across itself. A 36-grit to 180-grit surface is ideal for body filler application so that the filler has a good rough surface to grip. Bondo 262 can easily be applied, shaped and finished within an hour. Nearly every high-end custom car or restoration has some amount body filler on it. If the repair is larger, or youre looking for a longer-lasting job, apply a base coat of epoxy primer before laying on the filler. Clean any Bondo on your skin and tools before it hardens with soap and water if possible, or with lacquer thinner. The paint should be sanded off, to the bare metal, and then apply the filler. Keep the part you are going to bondo in the house also until just before you do the bondoing. Cut in with heavier grit sandpaper and work out to about 80 grit to leave a tooth for the following skim coats. Applying Body Filler / Bondo The application of filler material can expose you to some hazardous materials if you do not take appropriate precautions. Fillers and putties will normally work OK over properly sanded (80-180 grit) cured OEM paint. After curing, expansion and contraction are minimal. The directions say a 3-inch circle 1/2-inch thick to a 3-inch strip of hardener, if you had a 3-inch circle to a 1.5-inch strip of hardener you still would be ok, and if you had a 3-inch circle to a 3.5-inch strip of hard you still would be ok. 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. The customer is responsible for providing correct shipping address information. Read and follow the directions on the container, especially the hazard warnings. Can Evercoat fillers be applied over bare metal? In addition to its uses in repairs of typical vehicle surfaces, the filler is also suitable for repairing other surfaces including wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and concrete. A 4-inch diameter of raw filler needs a 4-inch ribbon of hardener at room temperature. 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. Once the metal is primed, you can apply a filler primer (2K) to hide scratches and minor surface scratches. Have a container of lacquer thinner or acetone on hand, as well as a roll of paper towels. Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. To be on the safe side get out your trusty hair drier set on hot/high. Put a small piece of bondo on a board and run a line of hardener from end to end. A free program that lights childrens creative fires and allows them to explore projects in areas such as arts & crafts, science & engineering, design, and technology. Check out all thepaint & bodyproductsavailable onNAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locationsfor routine maintenance and repairs. If you want to use Bondo Glass, the filler and hardener are mixed in the same proportions as regular Bondo, and the mixture is folded in the same way till there are no streaks of red hardener in the gray Bondo Glass. 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. The order subtotal is less than the minimum allowed value ($35.00). After the product is checked in and inspected a credit will be issued to the card used to purchase it. Work in a well ventilated space; outdoors is best. These are estimates and could change if special circumstances prevail.Shipping ErrorsCustomer must notify us within 14 days of receiving product if there is a shipping error.Incorrect AddressBe sure to pay close attention to your shipping address information on the checkout page. It will take about five minutes to mix it up and apply it. What happens if you put too much hardener in Bondo? These will be stored in your browser only with your consent and you have the option to opt-out. 7. Wear a respirator when sanding. Place the proper amount of Bondo filler and hardener: 50:1. 7. 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. You cannot slather some Bondo over rust and expect it to stop the rust or stick to it for that matter. 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. Copyright National Automotive Parts Association. Mix only the amount of resin and hardener you need for the job. For a super-smooth finish, apply a very thin layer of glazing and spot putty with your palette knife. Until you get the hang of mixing it is wise to buy a bit more plastic body filler than your project needs so you have room to try again without running back to the store. If the product is found to be defective then arrangements will be made to return the product. If you add too much hardener, the mixture will gel too quickly. This simple two-part solution includes a resin-based filler and a hardener. Learning how to use Bondo the right way isnt as hard as you think. If necessary, knead the tube of hardener to get uniform consistency. All Rights Reserved. Add 2 lines and it takes about 5 minutes to dry. His career began in the car audio industry as a shop manager, eventually working his way into a position at Rockford Fosgate as a product designer. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. All rights reserved. This filler remains easy to sand for days after the application. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Snow Chains vs Cables: Which Is Right for You? If a magnet wont stick to a steel body panel, it may be loaded with plastic body filler. Mix the bodyfiller with the correct hardener according to the makers instructions, making sure it is well mixed and totally streak-free, preferably within 2-3mins to allow working time on the panel before it begins to set. Why do you recommend mixing bondo on something that will soak up resins and solvents in the bondo and the catalyst? This eliminates waves and results in a much better repair. This hardener is easily mixed with resin or filler; a chemical reaction creates an extremely strong, waterproof repair material. Over the years he's learned what it takes to satisfy a customer. Bondo mixed to the color swatch will begin to cure in less than 10 minutes at room temperature. You only want to mix what you can use in about 10 minutes. Apply the filler to the panel, pushing the filler into any crevices. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 100,787 times. The premier publication of maker projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews, and inspirational stories, accessible by all ages and skill ranges. 9. Once a customer completes the checkout procedure and the order is processed it can't be cancelled. When the mixture turns a light red in color, you've got a good ratio. 2. 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. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. If you are doing general bodywork, leveling wavy panels, fixing small dings, etc, then wait until the filler is fully cured, about 20-30 minutes. 6. The consistency of both compounds is creamy, but as the hardener is blended together with the filler it acts as a catalyst, creating a chemical reaction which cures the product. 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. Phil Bowie is a lifelong freelance magazine writer with three suspense novels in print. Any defect you see or feel in the filler will be amplified when the paint is on the body, so check the panel repeatedly. We use cookies to continuously improve our websites for you and optimize its design and customization. If any of the product has been used and not in resalable as new condition, we cannot issue you a refund. Bondo Fiberglass Resins and Repair Kits are 100 percent waterproof. Conversely, if theres an area you dont want Bondo to stick to, apply a release agent (see tools and materials) or use Scotch tape or wax paper. Bondo Fiberglass Resin Liquid Hardener is designed specifically for use with Bondo Fiberglass Resin and Bondo Metal Reinforced Filler.
Essential Things To Pack For Travelling Abroad, Triphala Gold Benefits, Linear Fireplace Insert, Crl Mirror Safety Backing, How To Install Canbus Decoder,
