Best method of mixing Bondo for patching cabs?

[miked]

I've never used Bondo before, even for it's intended purpose of auto body filler. I would imagine that the instructions on the can assume the product will be applied in it's intended usage; on metal. Is there a different formula/ratio of Bondo-to-hardener that you guys use than what is listed on the can? How much should I mix at once? The can says "Mix no more than you can use in 3-4 minutes. Man, I work slow, so at that rate I'll have to mix 10 batches to get through patching one cab. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Bruce Weldy]

I've never used Bondo before, even for it's intended purpose of auto body filler. I would imagine that the instructions on the can assume the product will be applied in it's intended usage; on metal. Is there a different formula/ratio of Bondo-to-hardener that you guys use than what is listed on the can? How much should I mix at once? The can says "Mix no more than you can use in 3-4 minutes. Man, I work slow, so at that rate I'll have to mix 10 batches to get through patching one cab. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Go get the Bondo in the tube. Already mixed, just squeeze out what you need. One tube will probably do all the cabs.

Any auto parts store has it.

[Frederic Gelinas]

If you have to mix 10 batches, do it! It takes less than 30 seconds to do. It helps that I did this first when I was 4 year old. Keep the batch small. The more hardener you put in the mix, the faster it will set. You estimate the ratio by the color (the hardener is always colored). My first bath is usually bigger, with less hardener. That gives me enough time to patch a lot of holes/flaws. Then, I mix small quantities, with a higher hardener ratio. This way, I don't have to wait long before sanding. A small batch would be a 1" to 2" diameter ball.

[miked]

I've never used Bondo before, even for it's intended purpose of auto body filler. I would imagine that the instructions on the can assume the product will be applied in it's intended usage; on metal. Is there a different formula/ratio of Bondo-to-hardener that you guys use than what is listed on the can? How much should I mix at once? The can says "Mix no more than you can use in 3-4 minutes. Man, I work slow, so at that rate I'll have to mix 10 batches to get through patching one cab. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Go get the Bondo in the tube. Already mixed, just squeeze out what you need. One tube will probably do all the cabs.

Any auto parts store has it.

They sell that? /facepalm And I already shredded my receipt from Lowes...oh well, I'm sure they'll take it back...I'm in there almost every day.

Thanks for the tutorial, Frederic. The whole mixing thing is why I originally shyed away from Bondo and thought I'd just go with wood putty, but wood putty isn't so good at filling tiny pinholes like from a brad nailer. It would work, but be a bit difficult.

If I have time today, I'll see what Youtube has on "mixing Bondo". Maybe I'll give it a shot if it doesn't look too difficult. Then again, premixed sounds "Mike-proof" and that's never a bad thing. So much left to do!

Thanks guys.

[Frederic Gelinas]

I never heard of premixed auto body filler. It can't be the same stuff and it can't work as fast as the real thing IMO.

Bondo (or the like) is quite easy to mix. I use a scrap piece of melamine and put a small quantity of Bondo. I add a pea size of hardener, close the bondo gallon (yes, I buy it by the gallon) and the hardener tube. With a small splastic spatula (or a thin metal one), I mix it. As soon as the color is uniform, I apply it. If it starts to get difficult to apply, throw it away and start a new batch. If it gets hard very fast, use less hardener. If it's not hard after 15/20 minutes, use more hardener. I can't think of anything that could go wrong. Give it a try!

[Bruce Weldy]

I never heard of premixed auto body filler. It can't be the same stuff and it can't work as fast as the real thing IMO.

!

It is and it does. It's hanging on the wall of any discount Auto parts store and it's made by Bondo. I've been through two tubes of it building 7 cabinets.

http://bondo.com/products/automotive/body-filler

Scroll to the bottom of the page - there's four choices.

[Harley]

Scroll to the bottom of the page - there's four choices.

The glazing and spot putties?

[Bruce Weldy]

Scroll to the bottom of the page - there's four choices.

The glazing and spot putties?

Yep. They work great with no mess. A little on the finger or putty knife - dries pretty quick and no waste or mixing. And it's that pretty off-red bondo color that has tugged at the hearts of body men worldwide for decades....

[miked]

I'm going to give mixing the "traditional Bondo" a shot. The worst that can go wrong is I wind up sanding it all off and starting over. I will err on the side of caution and use (what will appear to me) as "not enough hardener." I don't care if the stuff doesn't dry in an hour...I can wait.

[LelandCrooks]

Glazing and spot putty are fine for really small stuff. Anything bigger and you have to do many applications for it to dry properly. It is perfect for nail holes and such.

[Bruce Weldy]

The biggest holes I covered were the heads of the cabinet screws - worked fine.

I'll be sticking with it.....too convenient not to.

[wounded horse]

Yep, the car body stuff for me. Golf ball sized blob, 3/4" hardener, 20 second mix then get busy with never used storecard. Toss card afterwards.