first time trying bondo/custom emblems

I picked up a can of bondo(body filler) at canadain tire today to work on my side covers. step 3 of the instructions says to add so much "cream hardender" to a certain amount of the filler.... the only thing in the can is the filler, do I have to buy the hardener seperatly or is it supposed to come with the filler or do I even need it? :blink:
thx
Scott

edit: Upon closer inspection of the can, I found this: NET WT 1 Lb 14 OZ FILLER 1.0 OZ HARDENER
is this stuff premixed?

Post edited by: 77KZ650, at: 2006/11/22 17:33

Post edited by: 77KZ650, at: 2006/11/29 22:15

Nope. Not pre-mixed.

Should be a little squeeze tube of red or blue or maybe even green goo that came along with it - usually under a pop-top plastic lid on the can.

If not, CT prolly has extra on the shelf, a little tube for not more than $2 CDN, I'd hope.

A little dab 'll do ya. Per ounce of bondo, a 3 gram squirt will be enough. The setting time of the bondo/hardener mix will vary depending on the amount of hardener goo used.

One tube of hardener goo should easily handle more than one can of bondo.

thx PT, theres definatly room for a tube under the plastic cover(theres a regular paint can type cover under that) looks like Ill be heading back up to ct again... not that I mind going to the place, I could browse through the stuff every day. I went there to get a $9 can of bondo and some sandpaper, and along with a few other things I "had" to pick up after I saw them, I ended up spending over $75:laugh:

You betcha. Toy stores for older boys. :laugh:

Hey, while you're there, might wanna take a gander for a pack of *bondo spreaders* - little spatula-looking things without handles. Usually yellow. Come in a graduated-size assortment, usually 3 per. From the sounds of it, you'll only need the smaller.

That is, unless you want to do it all with your fingers.

Better limber up my typing pinkies, I smell a weekend's worth of questions coming my way...

and under no circumstances go to relieve yourself with any left over bondo on your hands,dont ask how i know this! :S :blush: :huh: :dry: :blink: :blink: :blink: :ohmy: :sick: :woohoo: :silly: :woohoo: :silly:

wireman wrote:

and under no circumstances go to relieve yourself with any left over bondo on your hands,dont ask how i know this! :S :blush: :huh: :dry: :blink: :blink: :blink: :ohmy: :sick: :woohoo: :silly: :woohoo: :silly:

Tech answer:

Look (or feel) familiar? :blink: :woohoo:

(hint: Bondo curing is an exothermic reaction)

Do not use too much hardner. The bondo will start to dry too fast as you spread it around. Pieces will start to peel off and it will get hard to work with. As a reference a dab of bondo about the diameter of a soda can mixed with hardner the diameter of a dime should be about right.

Pterosaur wrote:

wireman wrote:

and under no circumstances go to relieve yourself with any left over bondo on your hands,dont ask how i know this! :S :blush: :huh: :dry: :blink: :blink: :blink: :ohmy: :sick: :woohoo: :silly: :woohoo: :silly:

Tech answer:

Look (or feel) familiar? :blink:

:woohoo:

(hint: Bondo curing is an exothermic reaction)

yeah thats the one!:blink: :S :pinch: :woohoo: :silly: :woohoo: :silly:

yikes, thx for the tips guys

When looking for the 'bondo spreaders'. Try to get the same color of the hardener, pink or yellow.
That color of the spreader is the right mix for the bondo. Too light, and it won't harden well or take longer. Too dark and it will harden up faster than you can imagine!

I have to ask... why are you using Bondo on plastic side covers? It is intended for use on steel surfaces... like your gas tank. As far as the "spreader color" goes, I can't imagine the color helping since when you mix Bondo filler with hardener, it is a dark reddish brown and when it cures it gets almost light pink. What fix are you attempting on the sidecovers?

Post edited by: wiredgeorge, at: 2006/11/24 15:35

wiredgeorge wrote:

I have to ask... why are you using Bondo on plastic side covers? It is intended for use on steel surfaces... like your gas tank.

Because it works.

It works really, really well. It adheres well, it flexes well, it has similar thermal expansion properties, it loves being primed and painted over, it's easy to work with - and it's cheap.

I've been doing it for over 30 years, and knew a whole generation of body-people that did it before me.

No need to take my word for it - but it'll do nicely.

As far as the "spreader color" goes, I can't imagine the color helping since when you mix Bondo filler with hardener....

That one has me hanging too. I've probaly spread a TON of bondo over the years, and that's the first I've heard of it... :huh: