[MARTINSR]

One of the most important parts of working with plastic fillers like "Bondo" or Polyester putty is to spread it out smooth so you don't have to sand so much. Not applying too much so you have to work hard to sand it down, applying too little so you have to apply it over and over. Applying it with big ribs from the spreader that you have to sand off, or lines from the edges of the spreader that will need to be filled because they don't go away when you block it, these are all things that add to the work.

This is especially true when you are applying a skim coat of polyester putty. You want it as smooth as possible and as close to the perfect "film" almost like sprayed primer is what you are after. One of the things to help you do this is a perfectly smooth spreader. Some nicks in the spreader and you are making groves that will add extra work.

I had for years thought I was all slick and would have a piece of sand paper glued to a flat piece of glass or metal and use that to true the spreaders edge. Then one day on a forum (could have been this one I forget) someone mentioned to use a piece of cardboard! This works MUCH better than sand paper. It leaves the edge of the spreader perfectly baby butt smooth. I wish I could give the guy credit who told me but I don't remember. I know I have posted about this before so if it's old news to you I'm sorry, someone will see it for the first time I know that, and that is why I am posting it again.

Click on the image to see the video.

Brian

[Lizer]

I just scrape the edge of mine off with another spreader. On that spreader it balls up in the middle then just wipe it off. Then I spray it with wax and grease and wipe it down competely.

[John long]

Wow Guys. Thanks for keeping me entertained at 3 in the morning. Just couldn't sleep. Too much caffeine at cruise night I guess.

I love your idea Brian. Can't wait to try it. When I am working I keep about 6 spreaders in a coffee can with about 3 inches of urethane reducer in it. Be sure and keep lid on and the filler won't harden. Each time I need a spreader I get the bottom one, wipe it off with a shop rag and go. The next time though I will be adding the cardboard box trick. Sounds like a neat idea.

Josh, I am hoping and praying you meant to say wax and grease remover LOL big time.

[powerrodsmike]

Good trick Brian. Rubbing a spreader on a piece of wood works too. It's the heat generated that leaves the edge of the spreader smooth, (moves the plastic around) whereas sanding it with sandpaper fuzzes up the edge.."Bondo Bob" Travis taught me that about 27 years ago.
Later, mikey

[Lizer]

Originally Posted by John long

Wow Guys. Thanks for keeping me entertained at 3 in the morning. Just couldn't sleep. Too much caffeine at cruise night I guess.

I love your idea Brian. Can't wait to try it. When I am working I keep about 6 spreaders in a coffee can with about 3 inches of urethane reducer in it. Be sure and keep lid on and the filler won't harden. Each time I need a spreader I get the bottom one, wipe it off with a shop rag and go. The next time though I will be adding the cardboard box trick. Sounds like a neat idea.

Josh, I am hoping and praying you meant to say wax and grease remover LOL big time.

yes, wax and grease remover

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by powerrodsmike

Good trick Brian. Rubbing a spreader on a piece of wood works too. It's the heat generated that leaves the edge of the spreader smooth, (moves the plastic around) whereas sanding it with sandpaper fuzzes up the edge.."Bondo Bob" Travis taught me that about 27 years ago.
Later, mikey

MIKEY!!!! WTH! MIKEY, HOW THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!

OMG it's MIKEY!!!!!!!!


Of course with a brilliant mind like yours you see it as it is, "Heat" you are effectively melting the edge making it smooth, I never looked at it that way!

MIKEY!!!!! I can't believe it how are you?

Brian

[cyclopsblown34]

Durn netnanny blocked the video. I'll have to watch it on the wife's computer tonight seeins how my handme down from her has no sound...the reason she got a new laptop last year.

[Supercharged03]

Originally Posted by cyclopsblown34

Durn netnanny blocked the video. I'll have to watch it on the wife's computer tonight.

Ditto.

I always appreciate Brian's contributions.

[Old Fool]

Great tip Brian

[tech69]

I just use a scuff pad with thinner to clean it off then wipe it on my pants to clean up the edge.- lol.. Well until they stop getting our work clothes washed for us.

[Localboy808]

Great tip Brian! Im going to try that!

I'd like to add the suggestion of using Honey to thin the filler for a skim coat. This is something I never knew about till recently! And what a difference it makes! The filler drys so smooth it's almost shiny! Now this isn't Honey from bees. Evercoat makes it. It actually looks like honey. It really is nice for spreading larger area thin skim coats.

[MARTINSR]

It blew me away when one of my mentors showed me that, changed my whole world in the body shop I'll tell you that. If you like that "Bondo honey" you need to give Glaze coat or Metal Coat a try. You can spread it over the filler for s skim coat of course, but you can also mix it in with the filler like "Rage" and thin it.

It sands much easier than the filler with "Honey" (fiberglass resin) in it.


Brian

[Localboy808]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

It blew me away when one of my mentors showed me that, changed my whole world in the body shop I'll tell you that. If you like that "Bondo honey" you need to give Glaze coat or Metal Coat a try. You can spread it over the filler for s skim coat of course, but you can also mix it in with the filler like "Rage" and thin it.

It sands much easier than the filler with "Honey" (fiberglass resin) in it.


Brian

Ohhhh. I will have to give that stuff a try! You are right about it changing your world. It changed the way I looked at doing my bodywork. I still have a lot to learn. But I'm getting a lot better and this stuff just made it easier to get the results I was looking for. I have a few cars I will be painting. My Daughters 65 mustang. I have a 73 Chevy truck I want to paint in the original two tone. A 67 El Camino I sold to a friend and my buddies 74 short bed Chevy truck. Alot of work ahead. But I'm excited to paint another car!

[MARTINSR]

When the polyester putties like "Metal coat" (the first "pourable" putty made) came out, thinning filler with resin was a memory for me.

http://www.evercoat.com/productdetail.aspx?pid=1

"Glaze coat" is the same product but a different color. The hardener is white, very hard for some guys to mix properly so I don't usually mention it. But it is the same great polyester putty.

http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=2

Personally, if Evercoat made televisions or underwear I'd by them, everything I have ever tried of theres is top notch.

Brian

[John long]

I am looking forward to trying that myself. I have thinned Rage with resin which does make spreading smoother but it also makes blocking more difficult, IMO. Mixing with a good smooth glaze should work perfectly.

John L