Found An Excellent Body Filler

[Mark R.]

Was in the local body shop supply house yesterday to pick up a new tube of spot filler for some projects I'm working on.

I asked the resident expert for his recommendations based on what I was using it for (modeling plastics) and while he said the spot filler would work, he suggested trying this. The big difference is that most tube type spot fillers dry by evaporation and thus will incurr shrinkage to some extent. This stuff has a separate hardener and cures by chemical reaction so has zero shrinkage. ....

www.offshoreautobodysupplies.com/flowable-blending-finishing-putty/

The difference with this filler was that it uses a separate hardener. Both come in a squeeze tube, but unlike other spot putty's, this stuff is much thinner. I hesitated, but bought some anyway.

Tried it today and was really impressed ! As the package says, it's flowable and makes application a breeze. It's thick enough to build up, but thin enough it almost self-levels. Working time is from one to five minutes depending on how much hardener you add, and you can sand it in less than ten minutes.

If you can find this stuff, give it a try - it's my new go-to filler for all my modeling !


Mark.

[iomalley]

Have you painted it yet??

[Mark R.]

If you consider primer a paint - then yes. (?)


Mark.

[cargostar]

Sounds like a filler that I use, it called "Icing", made by USG. The only thing I can knock on it is that if you don't rough up the surface slightly before you apply it, when you sand it thin, it can flake off.

[iomalley]

I think last time I had bodywork done on my old Jetta, they used this stuff in the rain gutters on the car. they called it leveller. I'll be looking for it too...

I still like Tamiya putty tho, it doesn't shrink nearly as bad as squadron.

[Mark R.]

Been using it a bit more and the more I use it, the more I like it !

After mixing up a bit, I use a blunt toothpick for application. I can draw a fine bead of filler right along a seam with ease making for very little sanding. Filling holes, Just get a dot of filler on the end of the toothpick, stick it in the hole and draw it out leaving a tiny head of filler - sanding is done in seconds.

Even without presanding any of the plastic, it feathers out perfect. I even filled a hole I had drilled to large, sanded it smooth and re-drilled it smaller without the filler breaking away !


Mark.

[iomalley]

that is impressive! what's the setup time?

Pro-form filler eh...wonder if Napa or Carquest has it handy...

[tjmfishing]

Nov 6, 2012 14:52:00 GMT -5 iomalley said:

Pro-form filler eh...wonder if Napa or Carquest has it handy...

Let me know where you find it, I might pick some up.

[Mark R.]

Nov 6, 2012 14:52:00 GMT -5 iomalley said:

that is impressive! what's the setup time?

Pro-form filler eh...wonder if Napa or Carquest has it handy...

Work time once you add the hardener ranges from about 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on how much hardener you add. Cured and sandable in about ten minutes or less.

It doesn't appear to be a Canadian thing as my original link was to a US source. My local body shop supply house just happens to carry the Pro-Form brand of products. I would think most body shop supply stores - not the generic auto stores - should either carry it or be able to get it.


Mark.

[Packer]

Well after reading this, I'm checking my auto body stores in the area. Hopefully one will have this product or something similar.

I like that it seems to be spreadable, unlike squadron or testors putty. I hate having to sand especially in tight areas.

[Eccentric_Crank]

Hi Folks,

This is my first post here.

I've been experimenting with a Bondo product that comes in a tube which doesn't use a hardener.
This stuff uses UV light kind of like what your dentist uses.

You have a relaxed working time to shape it then when ready, put it under a UV lamp or sunlight.

Dan M.

[santafemikie]

Tamiya has a UV filler product. I liked it a lot. The only problem I had was the tube leaked. At over $20.00 a tube, I decided this was not a viable option.

Mike