Devil's Putty - A.K.A. Bondo

[CARS]

You are waiting 3 days to sand the filler?? I am "upset" if I can't get on it in 20 minutes. I wish you were closer. I'd stop by and help you out.

[WesGrimes]

Me too Chris!
If I sand it too fast, it gums up the paper and does not cut properly.

[CARS]

Me too Chris!
If I sand it too fast, it gums up the paper and does not cut properly.

It's sooooooo hard to help someone online with a problem that is a "technique" learned over many years.

OK. If it is gummy around 15 minutes after you can't spread it, it is either improperly mixed (ratio or just plain not mixed right) or you are using a product that is literally Bondo brand body filler. (even then, it shouldn't take that long to cure).

Time is money to me, so I buy fillers that cost close to $50.00 a gallon. My work suffers when I use the cheaper fillers (even made by the same brand), so I just don't use them anymore. A real good, reasonable priced filler is Evercoat's Rage Gold. Premium fillers are smoother and require less sanding in the long run because once you get the hang of applying them you will not do as much sanding.

I sand my filler first with 36 grit, then 80. You are going to seal the filler with primer, and almost all primers with the exception of the now extinct lacquer primer will fill 80 grit sand scratches with just a couple coats. If you are going with the proposed BC/CC finish, you would sand the primer with 180, 320, and 500 to finish the primer off. If you cut through the primer at the 180 stage, you are no where near straight and need to correct the filler and re-prime... start over...

If I ever get some space in my shop to work on my tear, I want to post a tutorial on using automotive products to finish a tear. But the shop is full. Hopefully sometime this winter!

[WesGrimes]

I am using Bondo brand $20 filler that I got at Home Depot

Also, since I am playing confessions of a cheapskate, I am using sand paper from Harbor Freight...

There is an auto paint supply shop right down the street. Maybe I will go drop some cash on that better filler and some name brand 36 sand pads... It would be worth it to be over this stage...

[CARS]

I am using Bondo brand $20 filler that I got at Home Depot

Also, since I am playing confessions of a cheapskate, I am using sand paper from Harbor Freight...

There is an auto paint supply shop right down the street. Maybe I will go drop some cash on that better filler and some name brand 36 sand pads... It would be worth it to be over this stage...

It will be night and day difference.

Use the longest board you can. On hoods and big panels, I have a 48" sanding block. A 16" block is the most common "long board". 16" is the length of 3M's stik-it file board sheets of sandpaper.

[WesGrimes]

I am using a 16" longboard.
Can I just cut a 2x4 to 48" and use that?
I could mount a couple of handles on it...

[CARS]

I am using a 16" longboard.
Can I just cut a 2x4 to 48" and use that?
I could mount a couple of handles on it...

You could if you can find one straight enough. I don't think you will need more than 16 for a tear. Unless you really want a show finish. In that case you might just want to hire a body shop to do it.

[WesGrimes]

At this point I would be happy with a primer finish

I went to the paint supply store and bought some better 6" 40 grit pads this morning. They seam to really help.
Thanks for all the help. I will let you know how things go.

[schreibers]

me is money to me, so I buy fillers that cost close to $50.00 a gallon. My work suffers when I use the cheaper fillers (even made by the same brand), so I just don't use them anymore. A real good, reasonable priced filler is Evercoat's Rage Gold. Premium fillers are smoother and require less sanding in the long run because once you get the hang of applying them you will not do as much sanding.

I sand my filler first with 36 grit, then 80. You are going to seal the filler with primer, and almost all primers with the exception of the now extinct lacquer primer will fill 80 grit sand scratches with just a couple coats. If you are going with the proposed BC/CC finish, you would sand the primer with 180, 320, and 500 to finish the primer off. If you cut through the primer at the 180 stage, you are no where near straight and need to correct the filler and re-prime... start over...

I'm new to the TearDrop craze but from my car audio fabrication experience I can definitely second the above. That Bondo brand from the Big Box stores is waste of money and is very tempermental when it comes to working temps. Save yourself the headache!

[TRP]

Wes,

How's this coming along? Just wanted to check back in and see if things are getting better.

Ted

[WesGrimes]

Wes,

How's this coming along? Just wanted to check back in and see if things are getting better.

Ted

I think I am getting better at it. I picked up some evercoat filler and have been sanding for hours. I will get some updated pics soon.
Thanks,
Wes