Topic: Best Plastic Filler

[chrisf]

Hi All:

I need to do a bit of body filling on my bike, and I'm curious what the best plastic filler (i.e., Bondo) is? I think the stuff I need will be very hard as a rock and difficult to sand, which is fine by me. However, I've never bought the stuff before. I'm not really worried about the price, if that makes a difference, and the filled area will be less that 1/16" deep.

--Thanks, Chris

[wesniles]

the best stuff ive ever used is called metal glaze and is made by a company called evercoat
heres the link:
http://www.evercoat.com/productCategory.aspx?cat=1

[wesniles]

Ive never used the OEM but i looks good enough.. the thing about this brand is that it is so smooth, you don't get any pinholes from bubbles and sands super easy.  At my previous job we used it exclusively for the final coat of any filler work on the restorations.

[CB750R]

just used the metal glaze over some fine strand filler again from evercoat, seemed to go on really smooth, and wet sanded perfectly with 220 wet for fast shaping and 400 wetsanding for feathering. to really get it smooth dont skip a good high fill primer, maybe a different shade than the either metal bonding primer or existing paint, then wet sand some more with a block to find anymore low spots.  I hate paint and body, but re did my tank while I was waiting for more engine parts to arrive.... lets just say there's some big ass dents I didn't know were there before... and hopefully know one else will spot em now either!!

oh ya and after all the wet sanding you've done, time to enjoy the fruits of your labour and become a burgler, cuz you've prolly just sanded your finger prints off too!

[holdfastgreg]

....heres my first post on the forum persay.

I went to school for mechanics, welding and auto body.  I think I can lend a hand here.

First and foremost, there is "superior" brand.  Everyone has their own opinion and ideas of what makes a good filler.  From light weight to heavy body fillers, to short and long strand fillers.  Ideally, any light weight short strand filler will be sufficient.  I do not recommend Bondo brand for many reasons: A) poor chemical makeup B) poor moisture barrier C) prone to drying out, over curing resulting in hard brittle filler that doesnt flex with the part.  As far as evercoat goes, they make pretty good filler.  If you have a Keystone automotive nearby (check online) I've had REAL good luck with their light weight filler and fiberglass fillers.  They are cheap, reliable, easy to sand and mailable. 

Thought some might flame me for this.  Metal filler is a joke.  Metal filler contains a metal alloy combined with filler to fill in porosity and deep pinholes.  In reality, its not the "correct" way to solve those issues.  If you are using metal filler to glaze over or smooth over your body filler than try glazing putty.  Evercoat and every other company has their style and brand.  Glazing putty is extremely light weight, doesnt have filler properties to fill in dents but can fill in deep scratches and pin holes.  When using glazing putty try to always finish off sanding with about 320p grit paper.  Meaning, sanding your body filler with 180p grit than come back apply your glazing putty and than sand with 320p.  Thats the correct orientation of how these products should be applied.  Than again, theres always more than one way to skin a cat.


P.S - I'm BASF, 3m, Lord Fusor, I-Car and ASE certified.
If you want more information on fillers, feel free to send me a PM.  I can walk you threw some autobody stuff!