The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Bondo Question

Is there a difference in the quality of plastic filler bought at an autobody supply shop vs. Bondo bought at an auto parts store? I've heard mixed answers on this one and I'm not sure what the "real" difference is.

prolly a bit of quality difference among brands, and it seems different bodymen swear by different brands, but I think they're all basicly the same stuff, polyester resins and different grades of filler, quite like fiberglas putty - up here one of the local auto parts stores IS the main autobody supply for all the small shops - visit a few shops in yer area and sneak a peak at the labels on what they use

Bill

Thanks Red58.

Most of the quality is in how fresh the stuff is. You want to buy it (esp. the hardener) at a shop that does a lot of volume. Stale hardener really affects the quality and sandability of the stuff.

It's kind of like buying beer or milk, but it doesn't usually have date codes on it.

Not directly answering your question but I like to deal with a particular auto paint supply store. I figure it this way. Their stuff is at least as good as the general auto parts store and probably better. The big thing though is I can ask any kind of question and get an educated answer. And it seems like I always have a question on something. 'sides, I like the smell of a paint store in the morning.

Get the cheapest you can find. If your hardener goes bad you can get more.

THe only difs. i have seen in different bondos is that they sand a litttle different and the better ones will feather edge better.

Bondo is OLD technology the newer liter fillers like DYNA LITE are the way to go.available with or with out glass fibers. without the glass is easier to work with.

I have found the Bondo is easier to grate and sand than that "lite" stuff but I haven't used the new age filler in a long time.

Who here uses the fiber strand stuff? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Thanks

The fiber strand filler is stronger and has much much more fill then a regular filler.
Fiber reinforced filler also "claims" to be waterproof but they are NOT. All the fiber reinforced fillers have the same amount of talc if not more talc then regular filler.

Granted they are water resisant but NOT water proof big difference.

A good quailty filler like Evercoats Rage Gold will out perform "Bondo" It spreads easier, sands better and also feathers out nicer.

A cheap filler will in the long run cost more money because of the added sandpaper usage needed to level that cheap filler. And dont forget the added time and effort...Eric

I like to use marson platinum body filler.

Just as a side note: When I was getting a major home remodel done, there were several pieces of exterior trim that were partially rotted. The carpenter doing the work used good old Bondo to fill in the rotted spots and to build up some other areas. Then he just sanded it to shape, primed and painted. I asked about the Bondo, and he said he used to buy small cans of special wood putty, but he realized that it was just Bondo in a smaller can at a higher price. His sense of smell confirmed it. He's been using it on jobsites for 20 years and has never had a failure of any kind.

Jim Bow,
Years ago when I restored a victorian home with wood sash windows a termite/pest inspection was called for. On the final report it stated "scrape and treat" for some rotted areas on the windows. I asked the inspector what that meant....he said, "dig out the rotten wood and fill with bondo". The house still stands!!

Stuart.

I used bondo on the inside window trim on the 46 burb and it worked fine. I was worried about it soaking into the wood or shrinking but worked well.
Jim

I did some construction work in Florida for part of a winter. Some of the lumber we got was absolute garbage. The lead carpenter on the site would mill everything as best he could, then let fly with the bondo to correct the flaws. Heck it was all getting painted anyway. Ended up looking great.

Strange to find that familiar smell while constructing a deck tho... No sheet metal in sight.

-J

Bondo will also plug a radiator hole, usually will hold long enough to get ya home. Was a very helpful hint while working in the woods, where a stick could poke thru. Just mix it a little pinker than usual, pack it in, and leave the cap loose a few minutes, refill, and limp her home. (you should see what i can do with duct tape LOL)