"How To" Guide


image de.licio.us Digg It Email This Use Bondo Like A Pro

Posted Fri, 05/09/2008 - 19:10 | by mlwilkins

Summary:
A brief explaination of the use of the automotive body filler on cases.

   Bondo can be used on just about anything.  It is a medium that is very useful to allow the molding and shaping of case to what you want it to become.   Bondo is filler made of epoxy resins, and will kill you or cause cancer in the state of California, it also stinks to high heaven and will cause a buzz effect, so don’t try it in doors.



    First, one will need a mixing board or hard area surface that is disposable for mixing the Bondo. Plastic microwave dinner trays are an excellent to use as a mixing area for a light amounts of Bondo.  Also a disposable hard be flexible edge or putty knife for mixing and spreading the Bondo.  Also, I prefer some Latex or surgical gloves to keep the mess off your hands.



    Next, think about what you intend to do whether is just filling a void in an area, or sculpting a shape or a feature you need to visualize how to go about filling the area.  Adding a more rounded shape to the front end or even filling in an old power button requires one to figure out how you intend to keep the Bondo contained and or what your going to have it looking like after it is finished.



    Now once one has figured out what they intend to fill out fill in or reshape in Bondo the next step is to actually mix the resin and the hardener together.  The standard rule I use is one or 2 drops of hardener for every ounce of resin used.  Mix the Bondo in the tray with the putty knife, (kneading the chemicals I spread the Bondo mix from right to left and then up to down across the tray) Until the pinkish red color of the hardener is spread out in all the resin.



    Scooping up the Bondo with the putty knife then apply it to the part, do not attempt to spread it all at one time since that will only make it more and more difficult to handle.  But rather layer the application, building up slowly.  If filling a large hole try using a piece of cardboard backing to keep runoff to a minimum.  Build the area up over that which you wish to have due to the fact that Bondo will actually shrink as it dries a tiny bit, and will need to be sanded to make a smooth flat appearance.



    After the area is built up, sanding is the next step.  Using coarse sand paper on a sanding block or with an electric sander sand the area down to the shape required.  Once you have the flat smooth surface required, use a fine grain sandpaper to hone the surface for painting. 



    Also, keep in mind that you may have to go over or apply several layers of Bondo to build up an area for your creation.

Link operations

1. Tools for Bondo 2. Setting Up 3. The Tray 4. Scooping Bondo 5. Adding 6. Mixing Pt 1 7. Mixing Part Deux 8. Filling the Corner 9. Filling a Gap

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