Bondo and PS

[MikeD]

I'll be painting a motorcycle gas tank (among other parts) with the PS system. The tank has 2 small depressions that I'll likely be filling with a bit of Bondo. Questions are:

1) I've read that "Bondo" is a low-quality body filler--any tips on what to use?

2) Should the body filler be used on the bare metal then primed over, or primer first, than the filler? (assuming filler can be used at all with this type of Primer?)

Thanks!

-Mike

[chriss68]

Bondo will work just fine. You want the bare metal surface clean and apply bondo where needed. Then you will prime over it. Using bondo will require sanding before priming. Note: Use the Self etching primer first on bare metal and bondo. This will seal it very good. Then spray the PS primer over all. More than one coat may be needed to allow for sanding. Sanding primer with 320 grit paper will smooth the surface and it will allow the paint to bond better. ALso note that if you sand through in some areas means that it is a high spot. dont worry just add some more primer all around the area and it will begin to level out. If your surface is good and flat to begin with then that will not be a problem. good luck and post some pics.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

Bondo will work just fine. You want the bare metal surface clean and apply bondo where needed. Then you will prime over it. Using bondo will require sanding before priming. Note: Use the Self etching primer first on bare metal and bondo. This will seal it very good. Then spray the PS primer over all. More than one coat may be needed to allow for sanding. Sanding primer with 320 grit paper will smooth the surface and it will allow the paint to bond better. ALso note that if you sand through in some areas means that it is a high spot. dont worry just add some more primer all around the area and it will begin to level out. If your surface is good and flat to begin with then that will not be a problem. good luck and post some pics.

Mike,

Chris is right on the money. Use body filler over bare metal only. It adheres best that way. I am going to suggest one product different for priming over your work. Do use the DAP1690 Self Etch after your body filler is complete but use our FP101 Filler primer to fill in your sanding scratches instead of the Paint Shop Primer. The FP101 has higher solids and will work well for small parts like you are working on. I would suggest wet sanding the filler primers 2-3 times before applying the Paint Shop Primer. Prime-wet sand, Prime-wet sand......and so on until your sanding marks are gone.

[MikeD]

Hi Brian,

Chris--thanks for all your input!

So are you saying my steps should be as such:

1) Bondo onto the bare metal. Sand and form as needed. Once done with the bondo then
2) Use FP101 Filler Primer and sand, repeat (etc...) until all the bondo sanding lines are smooth
3)Then use the Self-Etching primer over the Filler Primer? (Should I spray the entire tank with the Filler Primer and then the Self-Etching?)
4) After sanding the above primers smooth, then shoot the Paint Shop primer in prep for base coat?

Please advise if I am close.

Also, what grit paper do you reccomend for sanding the Bondo, and then sanding the coats of Primer? I'm not sure if the 320 that Chris mentioned is for the Bondo or the Primer (or both)



Thanks Fellas!

-Mike

[chriss68]

you are close....You want to use the self-etching primer first over the bondo and bare metal, then use the filler primer. Bondo is a pain to sand so use only the amount needed to fill the area. If you use to much you will be sanding for awhile. if so, you can start with 80 grit to work it down quick, but then i would use 320 so shape and then 600 to smooth.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

you are close....You want to use the self-etching primer first over the bondo and bare metal, then use the filler primer. Bondo is a pain to sand so use only the amount needed to fill the area. If you use to much you will be sanding for awhile. if so, you can start with 80 grit to work it down quick, but then i would use 320 so shape and then 600 to smooth.

You got it.

Thanks Chris.