Topic: Bondo baby, Bondo!

[gregwaits]

Despite all the talk of maybe using a different tank on my cb500 project other than the stock one, I am forging ahead getting it ready to repaint.

Last night a buddy of mine gave me a tutorial on Bondo and off I go. I hope this tank turns out well.

I'll post progess photos as I go along.

[nickjtc]

Last night a buddy of mine gave me a tutorial on Bondo and off I go.

Use it sparingly, Grasshopper

[ProTeal55]

Me and Bondo don't "mix" too well.
I always put it on too thick, spend way too much time sanding it, then it just cracks off.
I gave up doing bodywork along time ago - way to frustrating 

[CrisPDuk]

Me and Bondo don't "mix" too well.
I always put it on too thick, spend way too much time sanding it, then it just cracks off.
I gave up doing bodywork along time ago - way to frustrating 

Same here

I've got to the point where I'd much rather spend the time doing a cash job or two on the side, then using that cash to pay someone to do the job properly

It does also help to have a good buddy in the trade who believes, as I do, and as does everyone here seemingly, that there is no such thing as 'beyond salvage'

[greenjeans]

Man.... that stuff has been around for 40 - 50 yrs or more.  It works.  A bit of advice, get some aircraft brand paint stripper and strip the tank down to bare metal.  Hit it with 80 grit and clean with acetone etc...  Mix the bondo per instructions - it won't come off.  * Make sure you sand it with a sanding block or similar to get it flat...sanding with bare hands or orbital sanders may leave it smooth to the touch, but will often leave a surface that isn't flat.  start with 80, end up with 120 or 220 then you're ready for primer.   One last tip - If you can, when your fininshed with the bondo, let the tank sit for a while....leave it out in the sun etc.  Leave it a week if you have the time.  Make sure it's good and cured before you primer it... I just got finished doing the body work on my 2 projects and I used some Bondo I got at the local WallyWorld for 7 bucks..can't beat that price & a little satisfaction on doing it yourself.

[gregwaits]

Thanks for the advice. greenjeans; I have been working with an oribital, and it is real tricky.

[droopy]

block sand all stages to get surface flat  at the 120 grit stage apply very thin coat of putty glaze it fills in all the pin holes and scratches that are just a hair to low. makes everything nicer in the end. I always goto 220 grit then primer 2 coats wetsand with 400 grit then dry and tack cloth area (primer again  if i break through the primer and wet sand again) Then paint

[gregwaits]

Droopy..thanks for the comments.

What is tack cloth?

[CrisPDuk]

It's like an anti static cloth that draws any fine dust of the piece and also stops it attracting more during spraying

[matchanu]

Try Duraglass.

It's like Bondo but has fiberglass reinforcement. It's a hell of a lot stronger and more flexible, but a bit harder to smooth out and fine tune.

I use Duraglass first, then a thin layer of Bondo over the top, then spot putty for any pin holes left from air bubbles.

Filler primer is next, you can get it in rattle can now.


There are some very nice and very expensive fillers out there, but I find the less expesive stuff works just fine.

I'm just about done with my bodywork, I'll post pics when I finish it.

[oldfordguy]

I second matchanu's comment on the duraglas.  Also, when using a tack cloth, only lightly drag it across the surface, don't apply pressure to it.  It is impregnated with a wax that will collect any dust on the surface.  If it is used too aggressively, it will leave behind some of the wax which is disasterous to the paint job.
Matt

[droopy]

I second matchanu's comment on the duraglas.  Also, when using a tack cloth, only lightly drag it across the surface, don't apply pressure to it.  It is impregnated with a wax that will collect any dust on the surface.  If it is used too aggressively, it will leave behind some of the wax which is disastrous to the paint job.
Matt

I agree hard to remember all this stuff