Tutorial: Using Bondo for Detailing

TwistedCory

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Tutorial: Using Bondo for Detailing

#1

09-01-2007, 03:33 PM

So when I first started i didnt really have any idea how to use bondo, now that I do, i figured I'd make this tut for you all incase some noob like me rolls around with the same question!

How to mix bondo body filler:

Get a FLAT clean surface made of plastic or metal (plywood is not acceptable).

Scoop a 4" diameter dollop of filler onto the surface.

Squeeze out a 1-3" line of hardener. A 1" line is what is called mixing the putty "cold". This means you will have more time to work with it, but it takes considerably longer to dry. If you use too little hardener it will never dry and will always be sticky. If you use a full 3" line of hardener you will be mixing it "hot" This will give you quick drying times and a very hard finish. Unfortunately it will be more brittle than mixing it cold. 2" is the median and is what I would recommend.

Using a putty knife, fold the hardener vigorously into the putty so that it is mixed evenly. Don't take too long doing this or the filler will begin to harden while you are mixing.

Now carefully apply a generous amount of putty to the area you are trying to fill or shape.

When the putty is hard but can still be dented by your fingernail use a small Sureform file to roughly shape the putty. You can also use some 80 grit sandpaper for this.

Now allow the putty to cure completely. When cured it will be hard like plastic, and will be giving off no heat.

Now do your final forming with some 360 grit sandpaper, elbow grease and finish it up with 1200 grit for painting.

hope this helps someone!
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cgspartan

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#2

09-01-2007, 05:31 PM

A good Black and Decker mouse helps when working with bondo like you wouldn't believe

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide...cPath=2516.2518

If I remember right, I only paid around 35 dollars or so for mine at home depot, and I could not live without it.
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irvinelax

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#3

09-05-2007, 04:27 PM

thanks i was wondering what the filler was for when i bought it
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TwistedCory

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#4

09-05-2007, 08:14 PM

can someone pin this [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]
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irvinelax

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#5

09-05-2007, 10:41 PM

is filler difficult to use, like it is hard to place it exactly were u want it cause u cant use your hands?
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Ironcobra3000

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#6

09-06-2007, 03:21 PM

Its certainly not hard to use, just use a dog poop sized pile, add little Cream, a little dab will do ya!
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cgspartan

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#7

09-07-2007, 11:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(irvinelax @ Sep 5 2007, 11:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>is filler difficult to use, like it is hard to place it exactly were u want it cause u cant use your hands?</div>

i actually do use my hands sometimes, when i really need to... for those areas i just can't get at well enough with a spatula. I just wear quite thick gloves kind of like the rubber gloves some people wear when they wash dishes.

I've never had a problem with it like eating through them or anything getting to my bare skin, since the work time of the body filler is so quick.
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parabus

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#8

09-13-2007, 03:30 PM

Should using bondo be the last step before painting, or can you applay another coat of resin ontop of the bondo?

I just finished fiberglassing my pep helmet, and am doing my first sanding. The helmet is not exactly symetrical, and there are som spots where the fiberglass did not touch the cardstock so there are some small dimples on the helmet. Can I just apply bondo and then paint the helmet, or should I apply another coat of resin?
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TwistedCory

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#9

09-13-2007, 03:45 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(parabus @ Sep 13 2007, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Should using bondo be the last step before painting, or can you applay another coat of resin ontop of the bondo?

I just finished fiberglassing my pep helmet, and am doing my first sanding. The helmet is not exactly symetrical, and there are som spots where the fiberglass did not touch the cardstock so there are some small dimples on the helmet. Can I just apply bondo and then paint the helmet, or should I apply another coat of resin?</div>

usually bondo it untill its the shape you want, with all the detail you want, bondo is the last step before primer and paint..

you want to sand it untill satisfied, then go right to primer(Make sure u wipe it down first so theres no dust left from sanding the bondo)

**EDIT** and about using ur hands, i dont suggest it, but ive use bare fingers for pain in the ass places and i used a little gasonline to clean em off, i had no problems...
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CPU64

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#10

09-15-2007, 10:25 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TwistedCory @ Sep 13 2007, 04:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>usually bondo it untill its the shape you want, with all the detail you want, bondo is the last step before primer and paint..

you want to sand it untill satisfied, then go right to primer(Make sure u wipe it down first so theres no dust left from sanding the bondo)
**EDIT** and about using ur hands, i dont suggest it, but ive use bare fingers for pain in the ass places and i used a little gasonline to clean em off, i had no problems...</div>

if you leave it thick enough on your finger, just wait till it hardens then peel it right off easily. That's what I do. Bondo doesn't stick very well to skin [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif[/img]
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joshua61991

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#11

09-17-2007, 08:26 PM

How hot does bondo get? And also how long do you have to work with it when you make it cold, im slow and a perfectionist so I need some time to work.
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spitzley

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#12

09-18-2007, 01:00 PM

Thanks for this post, every bit of info is helpful. I don't get much time off to work on my hobbies and right now I am in the research and building the pepakura armor.
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TwistedCory

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#13

09-19-2007, 05:23 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joshua61991 @ Sep 18 2007, 01:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>How hot does bondo get? And also how long do you have to work with it when you make it cold, im slow and a perfectionist so I need some time to work.</div>

bondo doesnt get hot as in it will burn you, it gets warm.

working time depends on how much hardener you use.. the more, the faster it hardens, the less, the slower.. just make sure you put enough or it will never harden. try a test batch, take a bit of bondo, and then test how long it takes to harden how much hardener you used.
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flying_squirl

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#14

09-21-2007, 07:58 AM

bdw, if your not that pushed about getting a perfectly smooth surface you can use polyfiller, not sure what you guy call it in America but its used for fixing holes in walls or the like, is surprisingly light, soluble with water until dried and is very easy to work afterwards cuz its relatively soft but it can be varnished with floor varnish or glue and its sealed. actually depending on what paint you use it might seal it for you.

p.s. you can get a nice smooth surface if you wet a piece of plastic and drag it over the surface before its dryed. you cant get the really shiny surface that you can with bondo but its as smooth as you'd need unless you an absoloooooot protectionist. also v fast to apply and work afterwards.
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raven2751

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#15

09-29-2007, 10:52 PM

after the suit is built in cardboard could cover the whole thing in polyfiller, then sand it down to make it smooth
then paint however you want and finally coat it with sealant

i know it would be a big job but wonder if it could work
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