The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Body Filler: To cold to apply???

Id like to get some work done on my truck as I have no work or school (college) for a few weeks. I bought the following filler and am uncertain if body filler is like paint, where if used under a certain temperature your asking for trouble down the road. Im working in my garage but it is not heated. Currently working on the front fenders for my 52, which are stored in a fairly warm room off of the garage.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MDS%2DFE156&N=700+115&autoview=sku

Thanks!

The usage parameters should be listed on the container. Keep in mind this is a two part filler that depends on a chemical reaction to cure. Lower temps slow the cure process. All of the winter time body work I've done has been in a heated building so I can't give you advise based on personal experience. If the info you need isn't on the can a phone call to the seller might be in order.

You would be better off buying a heat lamp & make sure the metal is warm before applying filler. Just don't heat it too much. I remember when I worked in body shops in Maine in the winter & it would be too cold some mornings to use filler without some form of heat. I tried using a torch to warm it up once. It worked, but not too well. Too uneven & too hot. You need a source of even, low heat. If you warm the filler & not the metal it isn't going to bond to the metal.& will come off in chunks when you sand it.

I'll always want the sheet metal and the body filler to be at a minimum of 65 degrees F constantly. I've had good success with that. That means working in a heated garage. You will experience failure with your body work if the temp is not consistant and gets real cold and then hot and cold and hot etc. The filler wil not stick to the metal. So if you're in an unheated garage, it's better to wait 'till spring time to do your body work.

i use a heat gun on low and heat the filler till it kicks you can use a hair dryer also just dont get it to hot i just heat the filler as its curing and the metal around it.

I use halogen shop lights aimed at the metal to keep it warm and dry it out, but I also don't apply filler in the cold.