Detailing

Bondo Tutorial

BEFORE USING RESIN, FIBERGLASS, BONDO, OR ANY OTHER HARMFUL MATERIAL, READ HERE.

Your safety is your responsibility alone, not the authors of these articles! This page includes content that is considered to be instructional, using products, tools, substances and/or methods that may, or may not be harmful if additional safety concerns are not addressed. It is highly recommended that you research and follow the applicable safety methods before following these instructions. This Wikia has a safety page you should become familiar with, but it is in no way considered to be a complete authority on the subject.

What is Bondo?

Bondo is a specific brand name of body filler, commonly used in automotive repair. It is usually sold in the form of a gray paste consistency in gallons or quarts. A catalyst hardener is added to initiate curing, which often turns the putty a light pink. When hardened it can easily be sanded to obtain a desired curvature or any other details.

Bondo: How To

Step 1: Materials

1. Bondo body filler.
   1. Additional hardening agent if desired.
2. Small mixing container.
3. Sturdy mixing stick.
4. A spreading utensil such as a plastic knife.
5. Sand paper from 80 grit to 300 grit.
6. Cheap primer spray paint.
7. The piece you'll be detailing.
8. A respirator.
9. Latex or rubber gloves.
10. Safety glasses.
11. Long sleeve shirt.

Step 2: Workspace

Ensure your work area meets the following.

• Plenty of room.
• Slick surface so messes can easily be chipped away once dry.
• Adequate ventilation.
• Be sure the temperature is high enough to allow proper curing.
• Wear your respirator, gloves, glasses, and long sleeves.
• Make sure the piece to be detailed is heavily sanded. Bondo won't stick to slick surfaces.

Step 3: Application

1. Begin by scooping a golf ball sized amount of body filler from the can and into the mixing container.
2. Add a strip of hardening agent approximately 1" in length, and begin kneading it into the body filler.
3. Once thoroughly mixed, begin spreading the body filler over a small area, making sure there are no empty spaces under the filler.

Step 4: Sanding

1. Be sure to allow several hours of drying time. Sanding wet filler is difficult as it clumps.
2. WEAR A RESPIRATOR - Body filler dust is a very bad thing to have in your lungs.
3. Using sand paper as rough as 80 grit, begin roughly shaping the filler.
4. Use a sanding block to ensure a smooth surface on flat areas.
5. Apply a light coat of primer paint.
6. Continue sanding with progressively finer sand paper until all surfaces are visibly smooth, applying additional primer coats to contrast low areas.

Spot Putty Tutorial

Step 1: Materials

1. Finger
2. Latex Gloves
3. Bondo Spot Putty
4. Armor Piece Etc.
5. 220-360 grit sandpaper

You probably have Bondo on your piece already, the spot putty is to smooth the areas where Bondo may have gotten chipped or is uneven.

Step 2: Application

• To properly open the tube of glazing putty, take the cap off, turn it upside down and push it onto the tube.
• Squeeze from the back of the tube such as anything else, you want to get out as much as possible.
• Sand down rougher areas.
• If you have your spot putty with you and your rubber/latex gloves on, dab some on your finger.
• Apply to areas that need it most, it runs out fast.
• You will need to sand the spot putty later, so don’t bother getting it super smooth.
• Once you have your spot putty applied to your piece, take your sandpaper and sand it to make a smoother.
• If some areas where the bondo is is a lump or blob, sand it down before applying spot putty, it will make your life a lot easier.
• Once done, let harden for 25 minutes or more and then paint over it.