How To Repair Body Damage With Bondo?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Unfortunately, a dent repair filler like Bondo is

not ultimately the best choice you have to fix car dents

. Fillers like Bondo can potentially harm your car in the long run.

Can body filler be applied over old body filler?

Is Bondo a permanent fix?

Bondo Body Filler cures fast, shapes in minutes and is

formulated to be a non-shrinking and permanently durable material

. In addition to its uses on vehicle exteriors and other metal surfaces it is also a suitable repair option for wood, fiberglass and concrete.

How do you fill a dent with Bondo?

What’s the difference between body filler and Bondo?

Why is my Bondo cracking?

Can you put body filler on Baremetal?


For small repairs, you can bog directly over the bare metal

. If the repair is larger, or you’re looking for a longer-lasting job, apply a base coat of epoxy primer before laying on the filler.

Can you layer body filler?

Unsanded filler tends to have a film on it and the next coat won’t bond as well unless the lower coat is abraded.

You don’t need to level it but you should scuff it with some 80/120 before applying the next coat

.

Can I put Bondo over old Bondo?


Yes, you can layer bondo over bondo as much as necessary with no problem

.

How long does a Bondo repair last?

If applied correctly, Bondo can last for more than five years. In most cases, Bondo filler lasts for

two to three years

. There are car owners who have had Bondo hold on to their vehicle’s bodies for even eight years.

Is fiberglass or Bondo better?


Fiberglass is More Durable than Bondo

The first key difference between these two is in regards to durability. Fiberglass is way stronger than Bondo resin. Therefore, when you use fiberglass filler, expect it to outlast car parts that have Bondo.

What is the best body filler for cars?

  • 3M Bondo 261 Lightweight Car Body Filler. This lightweight product is a two-part body filler. …
  • Permatex 25909 Liquid Metal Filler. Unlike the Bondo filler, the Permatex product is ready to use, it does not need any mixing. …
  • Evercoat 156 Lightweight Car Body Filler.

How does Bondo fix big dents?

  1. Clean the Car and Remove Any Residue. …
  2. Remove Paint from the Dented Area by Sanding. …
  3. Start Working on the Dent with a Hammer, Mallet, or Dent Puller. …
  4. Mix Bondo and Put Down the First Layer of Body Filler. …
  5. Shape the Filler with a Sanding Block. …
  6. Smooth Out the Filler with a 180 Grit Abrasive Sheet.

How do they fix car body dents?

Start by removing the paint inside and around the dent with 24-grit paper. Switch to 80-grit sandpaper and hand-sand the entire dent. Use the same sandpaper to rough up and feather the paint around the edges of the dent. Clean the entire area with wax remover and a clean rag.

How does Bondo fix small dents?

What is the easiest body filler to work with?


Polyester glazes

can be used to fill scratches and very small dents. They can be applied over bare metal, fiberglass, other fillers, and cured 2K Coatings. They are thin and easy to work with.

Are body fillers strong?

We often get asked about metal body fillers or reinforced fillers and what they are. These fillers are

incredibly strong

but do have their place in the body shop.

What is polyester body filler?

is

an impact and shock resistant polyester putty especially designed for use on auto-body for patching of dents, leaks, holes and flaws

. When mixed with hardener and applied, it has excellent flexibility, adhesion, hardness, heat resistance and sanding properties.

Do it yourself auto body repair instructions?

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 do you fix cracked body work?


Fill the dent, gap or crack with the body filler and hardener mix

. You can use paper, tape or your hands to smooth out the filler while it is still in putty form. It is recommended that you apply several thinner layers of filler to deep dents and cracks to prevent having a porous finish.

What primer goes over body filler?

You should use a

“direct to metal” (DTM) primer

to help top coats stick to the metal but it’s not needed under body filler most of the time. Once the metal is primed then you can apply a “filler primer” (2K) to help hide scratches and minor surface irregularities.

How do I put body filler in my car?

How do you feather body fillers?

Should you sand Bondo between coats?


Between each coating, sand the hardened putty with 80-grit sandpaper to remove excess Bondo

. The coarse sandpaper will also rough up the surface giving it the tooth needed for the subsequent coating of Bondo to achieve good intercoat adhesion.

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.

Do you sand between coats of filler?


Sanding is not needed between coats of bodyfiller

, but it is advisable to smooth off any spikes or really rough areas to make further applications easier.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.