1st time Bondo user... questions

Kraftwerk · 11-29-2007, 02:15 PM

I mixed up some bondo to patch some tiny holes, smaller than dime sized divots and chips in a f/g duck tail. But the stuff is as soft as ever after six hours! Not enough hardener..
My two questions are will it ever set? The room is about 65 degrees
and should I have used a different product? This is just surface stuff small holes about the size of a pencil eraser...
Must I start over?

Was going to post this elsewhere, but the other sections are pretty quiet: car & cruck , drivers forum etc.

equality72521 · 11-29-2007, 02:20 PM

Sounds like you didn't mix it properly.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Remove it, mix a new batch and try that. The stuff either cures or it doesn't.

nameisbauer · nameisbauer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Remove it, mix a new batch and try that. The stuff either cures or it doesn't.

+1, more hardener next time.

haycait911 · haycait911's Garage

make sure you get it ALL out, then wipe with lacquer thinner and sand. could use two component icing or glaze but if you already have bondo, use it. mix ratio is one inch bead of hardener for a golf ball of bondo.

3.2 CAB · 11-30-2007, 09:39 AM

What brand/type of filler are you actually using? Does it have the red, blue, green, or clear catalyst? All that was applied should be removed and surface re-prepped before re-applying anymore filler to the damaged area. If you follow the directions on the can/package, you should get a good mix to use. But now, you need to start over and totally re-prep the places that you are trying to fill. Good luck!

EarlyPorsche · 11-30-2007, 09:42 AM

I assume you are not going to paint it yourself either? In that case have the person doing the paint do the filling if its simple divots and pins. Don't bother with mixing anymore. Bondo isn't really a professional filler anyway, just take the piece to someone and then pick it up later.

Kraftwerk · 11-30-2007, 10:22 AM

I am using "Evercoat light weight" Yes, the mix is very easy to work with once you get a feel for the
proportions and set time etc. Thanks for the advice above. Removing the bad 1st mix was a
"dogs breakfast"

My friend is a pro who will spray it and we will build out the edges a bit in f/g so it will actually fit like the stock lid. This lid must have been from an older twisted car because the lid is a more of a rhombus rather than a trapazoid....
Bondo is not what the pro's use "Bondo isn't really a professional filler " I have heard that on another site. Why does everyone use it then? Or do they just say "Bondo" Like "band-aid" and " xerox"?

911quest · 11-30-2007, 11:40 AM

Bondo has become a generic name used for all fillers even thou it is a name of a type of filler. But I think they make different fillers to use on fiberglass specifically.

EarlyPorsche · 11-30-2007, 01:20 PM

Sorry I should elaborate. People do use bondo. My beautiful 66 has a tiny skim coat covering a 7 sq/in area of actual parts store bondo. This is not something I am proud of but it is true, I was doing a tiny fix and the hood had to go to paint. There are higher performance fillers out there that adhere better, sand smoother, and work better overall. Think of it like this, Bondo is a Miller Genuine Draft and the other ones are more like Heinekin. They are both beers but Bondo is made for the masses, perhaps a guy with a Nissan could just fill in a small spot with it or so but you would use something a little more durable and higher in quality for a Porsche. No problem using it but just letting you know there is better stuff out there. Go to a Mattos store and you can pickup the better stuff if you please.