Body filler options….what do you use? (2024)

  • Tuesday at 7:09 PM
  • #1

Kern Dog

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I started out using the classic, Bondo.
Sometime about 10-15 years ago I heard of this stuff:

Body filler options….what do you use? (2)

I’ve used it ever since. I have no complaints with it. I don’t know that I remember Bondo being harder to work with. It sure was cheaper. 3 years ago I bought a can of the Rage Gold for $60. A month ago, it was $120.

Body filler options….what do you use? (3)

Yeah…. It doubled.
Saturday I was at the Summit Racing store in Reno and saw this stuff.

Body filler options….what do you use? (4)

Body filler options….what do you use? (5)

Now, I’m not a cheapskate. If quality costs more, I’ll complain but step up and pay but…..IF something else comes along and does the same job for less money, you’d be stupid to just dismiss it.
Who has used this stuff?
My worry is that since filler is at the bottom and that primer, paint and clear go on afterwards, the quality of it is crucial. Imagine saving money on filler and then having cracks form a year later, requiring a full strip down and repair. If this happened to a car with a metallic or other color that is hard to spray and blend, you could be stuck repainting the whole car.
Has anyone here tried this stuff?
Another point…
From my beginning in 1982, I thought you were supposed to only apply filler to a primed or painted surface. Over the years I’ve seen arguments for applications directly to metal, to epoxy primer, to any primer as well as scuffed painted surfaces.
I’ve never had a failure from filler lifting or cracking but I’ve done work on cars that did.
Am I spending too much money for the filler I’ve been using? Can this cheap stuff be used with success ?

  • Tuesday at 7:21 PM
  • #2

davek

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YES, I watch a video of a guy using 4 different fillers cheap to top of line. He had 4 different fenders and did 8 spots. 4 on bare metal and 4 on epoxy primer. When all were dry he took a screw driver to them to see if he could pop the filler off. ALL stayed on I was amazed , was looking for a filler to do my charger. I will try to find the video.

  • Tuesday at 7:21 PM
  • #3

davek

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@eldubb440 whats your thoughts?

  • Tuesday at 7:22 PM
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eldubb440

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I like this stuff...... over metal or EP

Body filler options….what do you use? (9)

and this for glazing......

Body filler options….what do you use? (10)

  • Tuesday at 7:31 PM
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Kern Dog

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It looks like the companies have been putting just over 3 quarts in a one gallon can. If that U-Pol is 1/3 the cost, I should consider that.

  • Tuesday at 7:34 PM
  • #6

70bigblockdodge

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I never had a problem with Evercoat, Rage, did not pay $120 for the gallon. I have had cheap/old cans I slapped on for a quick blend, come back (much) later on and it shrunk/cracked, bad product, or hastily applied finished? I don't know?
All I got FWIW.

  • Tuesday at 7:37 PM
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eldubb440

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sometimes the can arrives damaged/open ........ because jerkoffs Body filler options….what do you use? (14)

but I salvage most of it, and amazon sends another can! Body filler options….what do you use? (15)

  • Tuesday at 7:38 PM
  • #8

MarPar

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  • Tuesday at 7:42 PM
  • #9

Kern Dog

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davek said:

YES, I watch a video of a guy using 4 different fillers cheap to top of line. He had 4 different fenders and did 8 spots. 4 on bare metal and 4 on epoxy primer. When all were dry he took a screw driver to them to see if he could pop the filler off. ALL stayed on I was amazed , was looking for a filler to do my charger. I will try to find the video.

I would think that for awhile, just about any filler would stick to the metal or primed surfaces. I’m curious about how it will stay over time and through weather/temperature changes. I’ve scraped and chipped filler out and found surface rust on the panels where there were no cracks in the filler. Water/condensation forms and can compromise the adhesion of filler.
There are guidelines and advice that get spread around. Some abide by them, some do not.
My own car was painted in 2003 and while the filler was applied over primer, no sealer was used between the primer and paint. There are no signs of trouble in the paint. I’ve heard guys swear by the use of sealer. I’ve only used it a couple of times and still wondered if it was necessary.
This Duster was painted in 2011 and has been outside for most of the time since then.

Body filler options….what do you use? (19)

I will need to repaint it though. It has a huge abundance of chips in the paint from me stupidly running the weed eater too close to it. There could be hundreds of chips to fill so I’m looking at at least 2 costs of color over the whole thing just to blend.

  • Tuesday at 7:44 PM
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multimopes

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A loooooong time ago, (about 50 years), I used to use a product called "Easy White" & also "Easy Sand"!

  • Tuesday at 7:54 PM
  • #11

K

kramer

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This is the body filler I used recently on my 69 Charger and probably the best price you will find is at Napa under the Napa Martin Senour line. If you ask for the Evercoat #100125 it will cost you about 50 dollars more for the same product. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MS_FE125
I know it seems to be a debate wether to put filler on bare steel or over epoxy primer. I have alway done it over bare steel and also bare steel is listed as a substrate on this particular evercoat filler. I tried several fillers and some didn't stick all that great to bare steel but this evercoat filler would stick very well and would sand about the best of the ones that I used. If you live in a high humidity area I would definately spray epoxy primer on bare steel as soon as possible than put filler over top.

  • Tuesday at 7:54 PM
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eldubb440

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Body filler options….what do you use? (23)

  • Tuesday at 8:00 PM
  • #13

khryslerkid

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The only reason I'll buy Bondo brand is because you can buy it in small quantities. Normally it's just a small repair and the rest of it will dry out before my next project. It's not what it used to be either as in sandability. Gums up your paper until you get farther along with the sanding. There has to be much better out there but it's really expensive.

  • Tuesday at 8:10 PM
  • #14

Cheapsunglasses

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This is what I bought. I have zero experience with anything, $15 on the shelf at Oreillys, works good as far as I can tell

Body filler options….what do you use? (26)

  • Tuesday at 8:45 PM
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1 Wild R/T

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eldubb, couple of the body guys I know have been mixing a little Dolphin Glaze in with the Upol filler, apparently it mays the Upol lay down smoother with less tendency to develop air bubbles... Thoughts?

  • Tuesday at 8:52 PM
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eldubb440

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the gold filler is pretty nice, I really don't see any reason to mix the two.........unless you're near the bottom of an old can?

not saying it's wrong, just not necessary IMO

  • Tuesday at 9:05 PM
  • #17

Bighouse

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If you think fillers are expensive, wait until you’re ready to paint! Maaaaan has that stuff gone through the roof.

  • Tuesday at 10:14 PM
  • #18

Builderguy

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Kern, FWIW, I still use Bondo Brand for a couple of reasons. It is very inexpensive compared to the alternatives. I usually sand 90-95% of it off so I guess that saves a lot. I have used it for over 40 years and I like the results.
I know how it reacts to the amount of harder I use and I can "soft" sand pretty close to the desired lines needed. If has ever failed, I have not had any return work so I guess not. If it is a big job I will take the car to bare metal and then epoxy. This allows me time to work on one general area at a time. I sand through the epoxy and apply the filler to bare metal. After done working the area, I scuff all the epoxy on the panel, and reshoot the entire panel with epoxy. Then, when still in the application window, I will shoot the panel with high build primer. I have thought about using Rage Gold but I just can't justify the cost. If they stopped making Bondo, I guess I would switch to Rage Gold. Have heard good thing about that product.

  • Tuesday at 10:15 PM
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F4R/T

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Xalta is crazy ... I’m looking at some for the 68 and I want the best UV protection and life span I can get out the paint.. I had my base / clear peel recently on my truck we painted it 15 years ago with chromabase.. I’m not happy.

  • Yesterday at 9:23 AM
  • #20

S

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If we quit buying when they double prices they couldn't do it. We are the ones who can stifle inflation.

My goal is to get close enough to fill with primer only. The fillers all smell the same, how much difference could there be, besides price? Would like to see representatives of each brand in a room to tell us how their product is the best.

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Body filler options….what do you use? (2024)

FAQs

Body filler options….what do you use? ›

Body fillers all fall into three general categories: standard, mid-range, and premium, and are generally available in a two-part material consisting of a polyester resin and a cream hardener. The filler grade you select will depend on the scope of the project and the size of the damaged spots needing to be repaired.

What type of body filler should I use? ›

Made from top-quality resin that benefits from the highest stain resistance of the three options, premium-grade body filler is the best to use when high-quality work is required. The premium option is the easiest to sand down and offers the best adhesion, making it ideal for repairing larger areas of a vehicle.

What body filler is better than Bondo? ›

For projects where durability and long-term performance are prioritized, fiberglass body filler is the superior choice despite the additional time and effort required.

What is the most flexible body filler? ›

A high adhesion and flexible polyester filler specifically designed for scuffs and scratches on plastic parts that require ultimate flexibility (e.g. bumpers).

What is the longest lasting body filler? ›

EverCoat Bumper Repair Kit

The innovative compound not only molds seamlessly to the contours of the bumper but also boasts excellent staying power, ensuring a durable and long-lasting repair.

Which filler looks most natural? ›

What Provides the Most Natural Look?
  • Juvederm. This injectable is highly-concentrated and provides smooth results when used to either reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles or fill areas of lost volume. ...
  • Restylane. ...
  • Belotero. ...
  • Sculptra. ...
  • Radiesse.

Which car body filler is best? ›

The Best Car Body Fillers
  • 3M Bondo 261 Lightweight Car Body Filler. This lightweight product is a two-part body filler. ...
  • Permatex 25909 Liquid Metal Filler. Unlike the Bondo filler, the Permatex product is ready to use, it does not need any mixing. ...
  • Evercoat 156 Lightweight Car Body Filler.
Mar 25, 2019

When should you not use Bondo? ›

Here are a few places that body filler should not be used:
  • Rust - putting filler over rust will only make things look worse.
  • Full gas tanks - body filler is flammable, and only resistant to gas once it is cured.
  • Anywhere that gets too hot - you'll simply end up with a clumpy, popcorn ceiling- like look.

Can you paint over Bondo without primer? ›

However, one of the most common concerns of newbies is if you can paint Bondo without primer. The short answer? No, you should not paint directly over body filler. Bondo will absorb the paint if not primed and it will not look good.

Which is the longest lasting filler? ›

Juvederm and Restylane fillers last longer than other fillers. Juvederm and Restylane are currently the longest-lasting and most durable dermal fillers on the market. Juvederm and Restylane are families of hyaluronic acid fillers with numerous possible formulations.

What is the best quality filler? ›

JUVÉDERM® Fillers
  • JUVÉDERM XC and JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC. These JUVÉDERM fillers can improve moderate to severe lines on your face, such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines. ...
  • JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® ...
  • JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® and VOLUX™ XC. ...
  • Restylane Classic. ...
  • Restylane Lyft. ...
  • Restylane Kysse. ...
  • Restylane Contour. ...
  • Restylane Refyne and Defyne.
Jan 10, 2023

Which is the best filler to get? ›

Generally speaking, both Restylane and Juvederm fillers are effective, versatile, safe, and reversible. This makes them great starting points for patients who are interested in giving facial fillers a try, but aren't sure which one is right for you.

What kind of body filler do professionals use? ›

These include lightweight polyester body fillers, polyester glazing putty, fiberglass-reinforced body fillers, metal body fillers, sprayable polyester body fillers and specialty body fillers. Lightweight polyester body fillers are the most commonly used cosmetic repair material for non-plastic repairs.

What is the easiest filler to use? ›

Powder filler is often for deeper cracks or holes. It's usually cheaper than other fillers, and you mix it yourself. Because of the depths it can fill, it's versatile and can often be used indoors or outdoors. Ready-mixed fillers can be used on a variety of different jobs and are often really easy to apply.

How thick should body filler be? ›

Apply a thin layer using firm pressure to ensure maximum adhesion being sure to “wet out” the surface completely. Apply additional filler in layers, building up the damaged area higher than the surrounding surface. Maximum filler thickness should not exceed 1/4 inch.

What filler gives the best results? ›

Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers are recommended for deeper wrinkles, volumizing larger areas like the cheeks, and stimulating collagen production for longer-lasting results. When it comes to enhancing the cheeks, hyaluronic acid fillers are often considered the best option for most people.

What is the acceptable thickness of body filler? ›

Apply a thin layer using firm pressure to ensure maximum adhesion being sure to “wet out” the surface completely. Apply additional filler in layers, building up the damaged area higher than the surrounding surface. Maximum filler thickness should not exceed 1/4 inch.

What fillers are most lasting? ›

The longevity of the most popular dermal fillers.
  • Juvederm Voluma: up to 24 months with maintenance treatments.
  • Juvederm Ultra: up to 12 months with maintenance treatments.
  • Juvederm Vollure: up to 18 months with maintenance treatments.
  • Juvederm Volbella: up to 12 months with maintenance treatments.

What is the best safest dermal filler? ›

Hyaluronic Acid

Its safety and effectiveness have made it the most common filler used in cosmetic facial procedures. Injections of hyaluronic acid can soften fine lines and creases and restore fullness to the skin.

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