Bondo Cream Hardener

[ricksprops]

What has happened to every tube I buy? Seems like they are all liquidy and weak. Bondo is taking forever to set now. Hate it! Any or you guys experiencing this. It's been like this for over a year. No matter which manufacturer or make of it. Bondo / Plastic filler just sucks!

 

[JPolacchi]

Unless the stuff is too old or it is too cold while you are working with it...I'm not sure what else might be making it react that way?There's a possibility that it might be reacting to what you put it on,or maybe even the "quality" of the product?Maybe it is a lousy manufacturer?

 

[modelcitizen]

gotta "knead" the contents of the tube to mix. it tends to separate like when you don't shake the ketchup bottle and get a squirt of water on your fries.

 

[Firefoxm31]

well i would hope he kneaded it before he squirted it out of the tube, but ya never know. Also, never "stir" bondo when mixing, fold it. I use a metal sheet to mix on and the bondo lasts longer

Will

 

[Bondo Fett]

The cream hardeners need to be kneaded until they're homogeneous. If it is really badly separated then it is probably kaput and should be replaced. Both the putty and the hardener have limited shelf lives, so purchase them from a good industrial finishes supplier rather than the local hardware store. Also, if the surface it is applied over has had CA glue accelerator (kicker) on it, it will inhibit the cure. And finally, Bondo brand bondo is inferior, it it famous for that sticky surface that clogs up your sandpaper. I've always suspected that is why so many builders hate "bondo".
I like USC products:
U.S. Chemical & Plastics
I can't live without some kind of polyester putty, I use it all the time. Hope this helps!

 

[jasonw2112]

^^^ What he said! Upol makes some great products putty, and glazes as well. Start out with Upol's glazing putty, called Dolphin glaze. It's an activated glaze, that sands real nice. Also make sure your using enough cream hardner. If you don't, it will have a tacky rubber like feal to it. Stay away from anything that does not have a hardner, and has the name "bondo" in it! It was good for it's time, but putties have come a long way!

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

nevermind