[GRN69CHV]

Rob, when I stripped my original vinyl top '69 car, it had regular old bondo in there - under the factory red primer - in there for 35 years on top of bare metal. I dug it all out, and refiilled to level with Evercoat Glass filler. Same with a deep dent (actually a crease) at the lower rear 1/4 panel. All I use the glass filler for is to bring the depression up to level. Far too much work and wasted effort to think you wil get it smooth or tapered. I just get it to shape with a 6" sander and move on. I never used to do this, but have started using Rage (or similiar) over epoxy. Skim coated both of my 1/4 panels, then blocked them smooth. By the time I applied my 2K, the car was basically ready for BC/CC. THe glass filler really bites into an 80 grit (or rougher) metal surface. I am very happy with the results so far. Key is, if the metal panel does not have any holes in it, and you seal the surface of with epoxy, the filler will not see moisture from either the front or back.

[robs ss]

GRN69CHV
I have always thought that filler would stick to bare metal better then anything else if it's freshly roughed up really good, how could it stick to epoxy paint any better, I don't know, but if you have a few pinholes, really tiny, probably the dura glas first, but I really don't know, thanks again
Rob

[MARTINSR]

Again, what exactly are you going to be repairing? You mention "pin holes" in you last post, that isn't all you have is pin holes in welds is it? You certainly don't need Duraglass or even regular filler for that! A little polyester putty and you are done.

Polyester filler will stick to bare metal just fine. The epoxy is an added corrosion resistance for you. Epoxy has a sticky resin that likes to have things applied over it with no sanding

Brian

[robs ss]

Keep in mind I am not a professional, but what is polyester filler, can you mention name brands, by the way you made a comment on one of these sites that anybody could restore a car, that there is a big difference in professional collision work and restoration work, and amateurs should feel comfortable about doing restoration work.
Well you made my day and probably quite a few others, when your out in your garage doing this work you don't have another body type guy to ask does this look okay.
It's comforting to hear a top professional like yourself say that, I'll walk in the house and instead of second guessing myself I just stop and think, amateurs can do a good job, then I feel a lot better.
Thanks again Brian
Rob

[MARTINSR]

LOL, I am glad you "got it", I had a lot of guys with restoration shops not take that comment so well.

Here is a low down on fillers.....Duraglass would be found in the "reinforced polyester filler" catagory.

Brian

“Basics of bondo types”

"Regular" polyester body filler, and polyester "putty" is basically the same thing. They are both, you guessed it "Polyester" based. Polyester is what fiberglass is made of. The fillers have talc and some other components that give it "body", that is the basic difference between fiberglass resin and polyester body fillers.
The Putties have a finer ground talc than "regular" filler. They cost MUCH more, but are well worth it for skim coats and minor repairs. Being they are polyester they use a hardener and CURE like fiberglass.
The old "spot putties" DO NOT use a hardener and are simply lacquer primer . They are JUNK and should not be used.

Some examples of these products are as follows.

“Reinforced” polyester fillers:
These can be aluminum filled body filler for metal surfaces. I is very hard to sand and not good for the finish work (needs a skim coat of a “reg” filler or polyester putty) but will fill much more per coat reg filler and has more corrosion resistance.
A Fiberglass reinforced filler is similar.

Examples are:
Evercoat’s “Metal-2-Metal”, “Everglass”, “Kitty Hair”, “Tiger Hair”
3M’s 05815 Short stand filler, 05813 Long strand filler.


"Regular" polyester body fillers:
Evercoats RAGE or "Lite weight" and others.
3M's Lightweight body filler #058001

Polyester putties:
Evercoat's "Glaze coat","Metal glaze", "Easy sand" and others.
3M's "Flowable finishing putty"#05824 or "Piranha"#05821 .

"Spot putty" (junk, not recommended) Usually found in a toothpaste tube looking container.
Evercoat's "Ever-glaze" #403
3M's "Acryl-green" red or blue #05960,05964,05966
Dupont’s 2286S, PPG’s DFL17

I personally recommend Evercoat products.

[robs ss]

Thank you Brian, appreciate it as always
Rob

[baddbob]

One more vote here for epoxy first! If you're looking for an easy sanding fiberglass reinforced filler try Evercoat's new one-Glass-lite. Good stuff!

Glass-Lite