http://CollisionBlast.com – Thia Q&A video answers the question of what grit of sandpaper to use when sanding [Read more…] about What Grit Sandpaper To Use When Sanding Body Filler or Removing Paint
How Do You Check a Used Car for Bondo or Body Filler Before Buying?
If you’re looking for a used car or your next project car, you will want to know if there is any bondo or body filler on it. Body filler is fine if used properly. However, it has been misused through the years as well. By knowing upfront, you will also have more negotiation power with the seller. You may also discover this is a car that you want to stay away from altogether.
So How Do You Know For Sure If The Car Has Bondo On It?
Just telling the person you think the car has body filler or that it appears to have body filler will not give you enough negotiation juice. However, if you had a detector that could prove there is body filler, what locations, and how thick; there is not much the seller can say, but agree with you. Best of all, it’s here…the filler detective is now available. This tool won 1st for best new product for at SEMA 2011. The detector works on body filler and aluminum filler.
How Much Is Too Much Filler
The max body filler thickness according to Evercoat and 3M is 1/4 inch after sanded. Evercoat Technical Data Sheet – 3M Technical Data Sheet. Together with the documentation and the filler detective, the cards will be in your hands when it come to making the car deal.
Learn More At www.CollisionBlast.com/TheFillerDetective
Product Description
The Filler Detective will find hidden body damage and body filler on a car, truck or motorcycle. It will tell you where it is, AND how deep it is.
- Sound alert for location and depth of hidden previous damage
- 9 Volt Duracell battery (included) operated,no charger to lose
- Fits in standard shirt pocket
- New technology, patent pending
- Low battery indicator
- 1 Year limited warranty
- Protective Micro-fiber contact pad to prevent paint scratches
- Includes Stainless steel belt clip, lanyard and screwdriver for battery cover
- Portable verification plate for accuracy confirmation
ABRN How2 Tip – Use Glazing Putty To Repair Small Dents
In this ABRN HOW2 video tutorial, Chandler from Butler Community College demonstrates how to repair small dents using glazing putty.
I visited the 3M lab in St. Paul this summer and they gave me a few tips when using this method to repair small damage. First of all, this is only for small dents, such as small hail damage. The second thing they mentioned was not to sand through the clear coat. If the damage requires sanding through the clear coat, you’re better off just taking it to metal and using body filler. The reason is because the glaze may soften the paint edge, which may result in lifting the paint slightly. This problem is confused with shrinkage of the glaze coat many times, as it can produce similar effects.
Other than that, just watch the video to follow the step-by-step process.
3M Body Filler Steps
Part of a series of videos from 3M Boot Camp. A introduction to the products designed for the DIY and [Read more…] about 3M Body Filler Steps
metal straightening and body filler info
This is a class project about different types of metals used in vehicle construction, some possible repair methods, and some information on body fillers.
The three most common steels used in vehicle construction are mild, high-strength, and ultra-high-strength steel. Mild steel can be easily formed and is generally easy to work with. High strength steel is more heat sensitive than mild steel and should be straightened cold, and ultra high strength steel is used for intrusion beams and bumper reinforcement, and its strength is destroyed by heat.
Once the metal has been determined then you can focus on the tools and the way it must be repaired. The way you will be able to repair the damage depends on how accessible the damage is.
For example it may be accessible from either both sides, both sides but limited access to the back side, and just one side. When damage is accessible from both sides many repair methods may be used. You also must determine where the direct damage and the indirect damage.
The size of the direct damage will depend on the size of the object that struck the panel. The amount of indirect damage depends on the amount of force used to strike the panel. The most common tools used for dent repair is the hammer and dolly. Before you begin the task make sure that you select the correct hammer and dolly.
Dollies are usually held on the back side of the damage and are used to work the highs down and the lows up. There are two different techniques to consider when working with the hammer and dollies. One way is the hammer on dolly the other is the hammer off dolly method.
Body fillers are applied to minor damages and should not be relied on for proper damage repair. Body filler is applied to bare metal. There are three types of body fillers, fiberglass, polyester, and all metal. Fiberglass is applied anywhere that has been welded and is used to prevent corrosion in the finished repair. Polyester fillers include conventional, lightweight, premium, and glazing putty. All metal body fillers are used for corrosion protection and restoration projects.
To prepare for body fillers you need to remove the paint. Some putty’s are epoxy and made to go over a primer. When applying body filler use the makers recommendations. The thickness should be a maximum of 3mm. Use firm strokes to ensure the putty goes into the sand scratches. The total body filler build up should be higher than the contour to allow for additional sanding.
Shaping of the body filler includes using a “cheese grater”, orbital sander, air files, hand sanding boards, or contour matching objects. After sanding, if there is bare metal there might need to be additional filler added to the project. If there is a high spot tap it down and apply additional filler.
Body filler problems include pinholes which are caused from trapping air. This may also be caused by improper mixing of the filler and adding too much hardener. To ensure this doesn’t happen, fold the putty, don’t stir it. Cracks caused by adding to much hardener, if this occurs it should be removed and added back on. Another problem can be poor featheredging and sandpaper clogging.
The Steps
- Access the damage
- Wash with soap and water or wax and grease remover
- Determine direction of damage
- Develop a repair plan
- (First In Last Out)- reverse damage
- Straighten metal and remove dents with easiest determined repair method
- Prepare metal for body filler by grinding or DA depending on metal thickness
- DO NOT TOUCH METAL WITH BARE HANDS
- Apply body filler after mixing hardener into body filler.
10. DO NOT STIR, WILL CAUSE AIR BUBBLES OR PIN HOLES. Adding too much hardener will result in body filler hardening at an excessive rate do not use a porous mixing board
11. When spreading body filler smooth your edges to eliminate some of your feather edges
12. Using a cheese grater to rough up the area and find your high points
13. Sand down high points with 36 or 80 grit sandpaper before the filler is cured
Use guide coat to find imperfections in metal and then sand with 150