Collision Blast

Providing FREE Auto Body and Paint Training Videos

How To Prevent Common Problems Using Body Filler

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[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRPEDZ7Q3vM[/youtube]

More care must be taken with thin metal used on car body panels not to over grind and thin the metal.  In the past, I have ground auto parts with 24 grit, later started using 36 grit, then to 50, but grinding is still too aggressive for many of the thin metals used on today’s parts.  Especially some of the aftermarket body parts.

Of course, if you are using a stud welder gun, you may have to lightly grind the stud head off, or you may have to grind a welded area.  However, this should be kept to a minimal to prevent over grinding the metal making it weaker and thinner than it should be.

Another problem that can consume a lot of time when working with body filler is getting it out of the areas you didn’t intend for the body filler to be.  You know, around edges, cracks, etc. around the repair area.

This video is going to address both of these problems and provide more tips when working with metal and body filler.

For The Complete Video Series Of This Project CLICK HERE

Bondo: DIY Dent Repair Using Bondo

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Bondo, which is now a 3M company has packaged bondo in DIY kits.  They introduced this when I attended their bootcamp at their 3M headquarters.  This kit allows the consumer to buy smaller quantities, which makes it ideal for the small do it yourself repair at home.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgC-yztUtyA[/youtube]

 

For more information about the dent repair kit Click Here

3M introduced a lot of new products when I was there several years ago.  Below are a few photos I took while there.

 

Photo taken at 3M

 

3M Demonstrating Custom Image Kit

 

New 3M Sanding Blocks

 

Headlight Restoration
3M Introducing Primer Gun

 

 

Collision Repair Training – How To Apply and Block Sand Body Filler or Bondo

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First of all, let me explain what the difference is between bondo and body filler. Well, there is not a difference. Bondo is just a brand name. You may be saying there is a difference, some spread easier that others and some sand easier. That is true too! How can it be the same and different? Well, Coca-Cola and Pepsi are both a pop, right? But they are different at the same time. Body fillers are the same way. Bondo is just a brand of body filler. However, it has became a trade name. The reason that I post this first is because I get a lot of question about this. So there you go, now you know.

In the first training video, I will demonstrate how to mix and apply body filler to a damaged area.




 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eygKDon4z7M[/youtube]

In the next video below I am demonstrating how to block sand body filler.  A common question that I get asked it how to sand body filler without it feeling lumpy or wavy.  There are a few things that will help you get a level surface.

The first thing is to cross sand.  I can not stress how important this is.  Sanding in only one direction allows your block to follow waves.   Kind of like a ship at sea….going with the motion.  However, we don’t want to follow patters, we want to level them.

The second little bit of advice it to level before smoothing.  I think that students have the objective is to get the body filler real smooth.  However, switching to finer grits too soon will lead to lumpy body filler work.  Make sure to have surface completely level before switching to finer grits.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUj_jZIOfNg[/youtube]

Step-By-Step – 9 Step To Apply and Sand Body Filler

  1. •If the repair has been welded, mix and apply fiberglass filler to repair area.
  2. •Sand the filler with 36 grit.  There is no need to use a finer grit as body fill will be applied over the fiberglass.  All you need to level the glass filler.
  3. •Mix and apply body filler over the repair area.  Cover and extend body filler over fiberglass.  Do not extend the filler onto the paint surface.
  4. •Block sand (cross sand) the filler with 36 grit sandpaper.  (This step can be done before the filler is completely dry to reduce the amount of sanding required.)
  5. •Repeat step if there are still lows.
  6. •Allow to fully cure (15 to 20 minutes) and spray with guide coat.
  7. •Block sand (cross sand) with 80 grit sandpaper.  Sand just enough to remove guide coat.  If guide coat does not sand off in an area indicates a low and additional filler will be needed.
  8. •Optional: Either apply guide coat and block sand with 150 grit; Or, Apply a coat of finish glaze over entire repair area.  Remember, glaze can be applied over sanded paint too.
  9. •Finish filler or glaze by blocking with150 grit.