Bondo Professional Gold and styrene

[REL]

Just a quick tip I recently discovered: As most people might know, regular bondo doesn't bond well to styrene, but the bondo gold does, and very well. It's a cheap alternative to apoxy sculpt and sets up fast. It's great for quickly building up areas with a styrene substructure, or for filling large gaps.

You can get it at most hardware stores.

Amazon.com: PRO GOLD BODY FILLER QT: Automotive

 

[robn1]

Thanks for the tip! I've wondered what made the Gold different. What's the texture like compared to regular Bondo?

 

[Finhead]

Most of the "gold" fillers are designed for greater adhesion to galvanized steel and aluminium. So it would make sense that it has better grip to styrene as well. The sanding characteristics of the gold fillers are far superior to that of the reg fillers finer grind and smoother.

 

[b26354]

Can't seem to find "Bondo" gold down here but I can find "U-pol Extra" Gold which I might try.

 

[robn1]

Can't seem to find "Bondo" gold down here but I can find "U-pol Extra" Gold which I might try.

That's probably the same thing, packaged under a different name. In the UK it's called Isopon.

@ Finhead, thanks!

 

[Bondo Fett]

Thanks for the tip. I use bondo (small b) all the time, can't live without it, but was always frustrated by its poor adhesion to styrene- ironic since it actually contains styrene.

 

[REL]

Thanks for the tip! I've wondered what made the Gold different. What's the texture like compared to regular Bondo?

Like Finhead said, it's got a really fine texture, much smoother than the regular stuff. It's harder too, so don't put too much on at a time or you'll be sanding forever.:lol

 

[exoray]

I've wondered what made the Gold different.

It has zinc based adhesion promoters mixed in... As stated above it's marketed for adhesion to aluminum, galvanized and SMC substrates, but you mileage will still vary on how will it sticks...

but was always frustrated by its poor adhesion to styrene- ironic since it actually contains styrene.

It has styrene in it not polystyrene... That is the problem when people just refer to polystyrene (or any derived plastic) as simply styrene...

Styrene is a clear liquid also known as vinyl benzene...
Polystyrene is a polymer aka plastic...

Polystyrene is derived from styrene but they are quite different...

Think of it this way, similar but different, much the same as bellow...

 

[Bondo Fett]

Aha........POLYstyrene. That's what I get for being lazy. Thanks for the chem lesson, I wont embarrass myself like that again!

 

[asemblyrequired]

have to check that out. Thank you for posting it,

-James

 

[KaanE]

The one I use here, in Spain, is made by "Presto". It's a German brand, and it works pretty good. It's the same as "Bondo Gold".

There are also other fillers made by Presto, one is like normal Bondo, a fiberglass based filler, great for filling holes and using as a base for the Gold, but not easily sandable. And the other one is an aluminium based filler, I haven't used it but has aluminium dust in it so it could be really hard for sanding.

 

[Finhead]

There are also other fillers made by Presto, one is like normal Bondo, a fiberglass based filler, great for filling holes and using as a base for the Gold, but not easily sandable. And the other one is an aluminium based filler, I haven't used it but has aluminium dust in it so it could be really hard for sanding.

Both will be "Polyester" based not fiberglass based (no such thing) and not aluminium based. One is just a different mix and has a Aluminium addative, but still "Polyester" based.

 

[KaanE]

Both will be "Polyester" based not fiberglass based (no such thing) and not aluminium based. One is just a different mix and has a Aluminium addative, but still "Polyester" based.

You're correct. The correct words are that Fiberglass Presto Filler has fiberglass in it (you can really see the fiberglass fibers), and the Aluminium Presto Filler has aluminium in it.

 

[b26354]

I found a supplier for Bondo Professional Gold in New Zealand so should be able to get some.

I have a need for somethign which will stick well to epoxy based fibreglass and vacformed styrene - hopefuly this will do the trick.

 

[IEDBOUNTYHUNTER]

I use RAGE Gold, for all my stuff. yup great adhesion and wont clog the paper up. costs more but makes life alot easier, i hate wasting sandpaper.


Al