pitchforknumb
Sr Member
Thanks for the info on the items. I'll have to try them out sometime. Do you use any filler primer on your projects, or just normal primer?
so... bondo?
- Thread starter ironman wanabee
- Start date
Thanks for the info on the items. I'll have to try them out sometime. Do you use any filler primer on your projects, or just normal primer?
Bondo is made by 3M but only recently (in the last 5 years). Evercoat makes a far Superior product. I use a surform on bigger projects. When the filler is in that rubbery plastic stage I use the surform to take off the big high spots. Followed by an electric or air sander and then finally by hand. For smaller projects I just hand sand.
Tigerblood
Well-Known Member
Bondo is garbage and I wouldn't use it for this type of project. Evercoat Lightweight Filler starts at $17 a gallon and you'll save a lot more sandpaper by using this.
Use a "RASPING" tool and then hand sand it. Stay away from an orbital sander if you wanted to get better at this.
One big advantage of using high quality filler is how the product is "self-leveling". And it is also made with a lot more finer talc so it doesn't create pinholes, and doesn't clog up your sandpaper and that's already a huge advantage. Don't forget the time that you'll be saving. It's very cost effective so I swear by it, and if you look up my helmet build thread you'll know I wasn't just blowing smoke about it.
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I've had an Evercoat link and I could never remember why I saved it. Now I know! :lol
The only Bondo I ever use it the spot glaze. I only use it on scale models though. It works great for that.
The only Bondo I ever use it the spot glaze. I only use it on scale models though. It works great for that.
Tigerblood
Well-Known Member
boochieboy
Member
Doing all my sanding by hand with a block. I've been using Bondo Glass on my entire Iron Man helmet build without a problem. If you're having problems sanding, use a more aggressive grit, period. Sure, there are better, premium fillers like Evercoat if you like paying triple the cost, but it's your final coat & sanding that matters anyways. A $4 tube of glaze before your final sanding takes care of whatever pinholes or scratches are left behind and is thinner and smoother than filler. Even further down the line, primer (or filler primer) is going to sand out very smooth as well. Bottom line, yes there are better fillers than Bondo, but for this type of project, I'll stick with it. We're not doing bodywork on a Ferrari...we're doing Pepakura.
PrimoOptimoso
Sr Member
Wish I had heard of Evercoat when I made my wife's Samus helmet years ago - the Bondo simply would not sand smooth in some areas, so we went with the 'battle damage' story. Now that I know so much more I want to make her a 'good' one, though =0)
ironman wanabee
Active Member
seems bondo and evercoat are american brands which have to have shipped over from US.
anyone know any good products in uk??
anyone know any good products in uk??
if you live in AZ and need evercoat, go to a Carquest they sell gallons for around $19
Captain Radu
New Member
If I can add something, I am an industrial mold maker. I build forms out of wood then bondo and fiberglass them for concrete production. Evercoat is the best, but I mostly use bondo and Icing. The big thing that helps me use and work with bondo and fiber glass is the the sanding disks I use. I use automotive DA sanding disks. I prefer Abernet or Autonet. They are mesh and do not dull as fast as regular sand paper. I stock 9 different grits, from 80-1,000. they are about $25 a box and you get 5o per box. Either way you look at it, you will be spending $ on the body filer (Bondo) or the sanding disks. I also prefer air tools, you have more control with them with a variable speed at you hand. I hope this helps.
Captain Radu
New Member
I also wanted to add, try all products, some might work for you better than others work for others. I use 3 different mold rubber companies sometimes. I use Smooth-On products, Silicone Inc and Ploytek for casting things. Try it all
oysteinhole
Well-Known Member
why use a toxic polyester bondo when there is so much nice in epoxy ?
i use epoxy filler , no smell , no need for respirator , easier to sand , and better results ....
i use epoxy filler , no smell , no need for respirator , easier to sand , and better results ....
Toxx
Well-Known Member
Do you got any brandname and prices here in Europe?
I've used an Epoxy-Resin for my pepakura and fiberglass work, tricky to mix (must be carefully mixed by weight-ratio, in small portions hard to scale out).
Cure time between 30min and 1h, really nontacky after 24h.
The polyester-filler is cheap, easy to mix, and can be sanded down after 20min.
But i agree, it is toxic, so i always work outside with it (and now the winter is coming...)
oysteinhole
Well-Known Member
Hi ! in scandinavia we have this Biltema , cheap and wery good quality . here is the link :
Epoksysparkel - Biltema
you can translate it to English
i think the international name is West system epoxy spackel ore something
Epoksysparkel - Biltema
you can translate it to English
i think the international name is West system epoxy spackel ore something
Toxx
Well-Known Member
That is what I have found:
spachtel epoxy | eBay
Not really cheap, double in price than polyester-filler an 6-8 h to wait before sanding.... Instead of 30min
So bondo is the faster an cheaper way to go, but even the toxic one.
But if you work outside with respirator it will be no problem, you also need the respirator for the paint job
KennyGordon
New Member
Sorry to dredge up a nearly month old thread, but I needed to throw in my $0.02.
Bondo is not garbage in my opinion. Regular Bondo is indeed hard to work with, but you have to consider its merits and applications. To make a general form or fill a large space it works extremely well, especially at its price.
Something that is always overlooked is that people only try out the red, regular bondo. If you have taken a look at the Bondo "Ultimate" stuff, its worth the buy at about 15 bucks more per gallon and definitely comparable because the particle is much more fine compared to regular Bondo, like Evercoat pretty much
Bondo Ultimate Filler, 1024, 1 Gallon (US) Can (Net Wt 6 lb 4 oz)-Shop 3M
I can easily sand through a quarter to half inch of the stuff in 5 minutes on 100 grit
Bondo is not garbage in my opinion. Regular Bondo is indeed hard to work with, but you have to consider its merits and applications. To make a general form or fill a large space it works extremely well, especially at its price.
Something that is always overlooked is that people only try out the red, regular bondo. If you have taken a look at the Bondo "Ultimate" stuff, its worth the buy at about 15 bucks more per gallon and definitely comparable because the particle is much more fine compared to regular Bondo, like Evercoat pretty much
Bondo Ultimate Filler, 1024, 1 Gallon (US) Can (Net Wt 6 lb 4 oz)-Shop 3M
I can easily sand through a quarter to half inch of the stuff in 5 minutes on 100 grit
Crank729
Sr Member
I also think Bondo is fine. If you're finding it hard to sand or smooth out completely...I'm sorry, you're doing it wrong. As long as thin coats are administered with the proper amount of hardener, you'll be fine.
But then again, I've never tried evercoat and this is my opinion. For me, it's cheap, easy to get, and I've never worked with anything else.
Different folks, different strokes.
But then again, I've never tried evercoat and this is my opinion. For me, it's cheap, easy to get, and I've never worked with anything else.
Different folks, different strokes.
Lord Magneto
Sr Member
I'm actually leaning towards giving evercoat a try. I'm going I see if anyone carries it by me and I might pickup some for my next project
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