Sawdust on your helmet/props:any1 tried it before? :)

[quovadis0920]

well i was browsing the net for some tips and tutorials on making helmets,and i was wondering if any1 ever used this technique on their helmets before? They say sawdust is like bondo, but way more easier to sand. I have tried bondo and yes its a devil to sand and smooth down. I was planning to use fiberglass+sawdust-ing technique i scrolled over the net. Just need some advice or tip if anyone has ever tried it before. :rolleyes

here's the link:

Sawdust Demonstration: Making Props

 

[terryr]

Bondo was originally fiberglass resin and talcum powder. So it must be the resin that makes it hard to sand.

I've made the talcum mix, and you can make it thin and runny or very pasty.

 

[MrGzilla]

I've never heard of the sawdust method but if you just want something thats Easter to sand than bondo, I'd suggest some automotive body filler. It's much easier to sand and it takes between 5 minuets to 1 minuet to set up depending on how much hardener you mix into it.

 

[Finhead]

The reason BONDO brand filler is harder to sand it it's high content of resin. The more resin your filler has the harder it will be to sand. As stated above a true automotive grade filler (which is cheaper) is much, much easier to sand it's very easy to work with. Your sawdust and resin Idea will be actually harder than bondo since it will be 1/2 resin.

 

[izabel]

Robert said that the sawdust method would be very heavy.

 

[stormtrooperguy]

funny... i use bondo because i find it so easy to sand and smooth, and i LIKE how it gets hard as a rock in 10 minutes.

for sanding, my "trick" is that i don't do it by hand until i'm just perfecting things. i mostly use electric sanders. an electric with 80 grit on it makes short work of bondo.

 

[Carbon]

Sawdust+woodglue takes a while to dry but sands smooth.

 

[ob1al]

There are lots of easy-sand auto body fillers on the market which would make your life easier than a homemade sawdust concoction.

Having said that, if you're planning to create on a budget then the extra elbow grease might be preferable to the time saving (but more costly) ready-made mixes.

It just depends on your budget, available time and dedication.

Silk purses really can be made out of pig's ears, if one is motivated enough to try and doesn't mind getting blisters from sanding.

 

[Pilot]

for sanding, my "trick" is that i don't do it by hand until i'm just perfecting things. i mostly use electric sanders. an electric with 80 grit on it makes short work of bondo.

This is really the way to go. Bondo is not, and was never meant to be, an easily sanded material. It dries hard and tough because it needs to stand up to the rigors of road travel. Body shop guys don't hand-sand things until the electric or pneumatic tools have done all the heavy work, and there's no reason to bust your ass trying to reinvent a process that's been working famously for decades.

 

[hansicle]

Try Micro lite from NAPPA. It's a light weight body filler, easier to sand than regular bondo
Store Locator | NAPA Online

 

[terryr]

Yes, a higher priced professional body filler is much easier to use and better. I didn't believe it until I tried it.

I've used sawdust and resin on wood.

 

[Art Andrews]

Yes, a higher priced professional body filler is much easier to use and better. I didn't believe it until I tried it.

Do you have a brand or type that you specifically prefer?

 

[Finhead]

Actually it's not even the higher priced stuff, just a better mix better brand. Anything by US Chem or Evercoat will be miles better than "BONDO" brand. I've been a autobody guy for 20 years that's the main brands we use they are among the best to work with.

 

[dbalschi]

I've used that method for repairing minor damage in tables and cabinets, it was very easy to sand. Not sure how good it would work for a prop as I'm just starting to get into that. If you go that route I'd love to hear about how it turns out and if it really is a feasible idea as I'll be starting my first build soon

 

[terryr]

I noticed the better stuff dries yellowish. I don't if it's a chemical or coloring.

Edit; I have some Bondo Professional Gold from NAPA that was much better than normal bondo.

 

[quovadis0920]

ok ok thanks for tips guys.

is there any stuff i can use or add to bondo automotive body filler for it to be easier to sand?

 

[Garuda]

hey, i`ve got a friend that makes his helmet with sawdust, well actually this technic was invented by a friend in phillipine

if you have any *******k account, hook him up, this is my fellow account if you want to ask any question about this method,Dedi's Armor Works | Facebook
but i tell you bro, this stuff is very2 hard to do! i`ve even gave up to try it

 

[JtotheP]

ok ok thanks for tips guys.

is there any stuff i can use or add to bondo automotive body filler for it to be easier to sand?

Bondo can actually be easier to work with if you start sanding it when it's "green" meaning just as it's kicking and before it sets up too hard. There's a small, but managable window where you can sand it with a low (40) grit sand paper with big, quick, shaping strokes. Start with a light pressure so as not to gum up your sand paper and as it gets more "set" you can add more pressure while sanding. After you get a desired shape, you can skim coat another layer of Bondo to fill in pin holes and scratch marks. Then you can let it set hard since it is a thin layer and sand with 80, then 120, then 150, then 220 grit etc.. for ultra smooth finish.