Body filler questions……
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Hello……my name is Dave and this is my first post on this forum. I am curently restoring a ’68 Camaro that I have ownwed for 34 years. I do not have bottomless pockets so I am trying to do whatever work I can do myself.
I am taking my first try at using body filler and have some questions. Right now I am just trying to do cosmetic work on parts that are sound but have pitting in them. My subframe, a-arms, front bumper brackets, and things like that.
1) I am trying to get the mix ratio of hardener right. I did some experimenting. The first two times, I added too much and it set up too fast. The third time, I had about three minutes to spread it before it started to set up. Is this about right or should I try less hardener. Is there a standard “working time” before set up that tells you your mix is right?
2) How long after you apply the filler should you wait till you start sanding.
3) How long should you let the filler dry before applying paint?
4) How long can you leave the filler exposed before you put paint on it? Will the filler start to absorb moisture if it sits exposed too long?…….and cause problems with the paint later?
5) If you wipe it with wax and grease remover before painting, is there a certain amount of time you should wait to let it completely evaporate out?
6) These parts were already sandblasted and epoxy primered. I am putting the body filler over the epoxy primer. I am going to use Eastwoods 2K Chassis Black for the final coat……..should there be a primer and/or anything else between the body filler and the final coat…….and if so, what is recommended?
Thanks………….Dave
Welcome Dave
1) You should have about 4-5% hardener in your filler.
2) dry time depends on temp. 20 mins should do.
3) Filler will need to be primed first before paint.
4) Prime your filler than sand when your ready to paint
5) I only use wax and grease remover for the fist wipe down before sanding. A final wipe solvent would be better.
6) A decent 2k urathane primer will be fine over your filler.
Hello Smooth…thank you for your reply.
How do you get a 5% ratio when you are scooping the filler out of the can with a paint stick and squeezing the hardner out of the tube? Is it a matter of feel and judgement or the amount of time it stays spreadable?
When you say 20 minutes drying time, is that the time you should wait to sand after applying the filler?…..or how long after sanding till you can paint?
What would be a brand name of “final wipe solvent” and where do you get it? Is there a certain amount of time you should wait to know the solvent is evaporated out of the filler so you are ready for paint.
Thanks……Dave
[quote=”Daven1256″ post=30486]Hello Smooth…thank you for your reply.
How do you get a 5% ratio when you are scooping the filler out of the can with a paint stick and squeezing the hardner out of the tube? Is it a matter of feel and judgement or the amount of time it stays spreadable?
When you say 20 minutes drying time, is that the time you should wait to sand after applying the filler?…..or how long after sanding till you can paint?
What would be a brand name of “final wipe solvent” and where do you get it? Is there a certain amount of time you should wait to know the solvent is evaporated out of the filler so you are ready for paint.
Thanks……Dave[/quote]
I usually judge how much hardener to put on my filler,the more you do it the better you get. The video that bloverby posted shows a good example (even though i dont think that repair in the video is straight :P)
A good brand of final wipe solvent would be any of major paint manufactures brand. I always liked Duponts “wash n wipe”, You should be able to get some final wipe at any automotive paint store.
After you finish sanding your filler you need to prime the repair before you can paint it.
Thanks for the info….it helps.
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