im always hearing people talking about bondo this bondo that...is it really that bad?

 

No, bondo isnt that bad really. The problem is when people try to use bondo as a means of eliminating a problem that will just come back, like rust. Bondo is good for repairing small dents and things when repainting. It's not good for covering up rust or a bad welding job. The life of bondo isnt as long as, say, welding a new panel in place, so most people use it as a temporary solution to a problem that will just come back again.

 

Yeah, the problem with using bondo is that it absorbs water. All body repairs will necessitate using a very thin layer of bondo to smooth out the surface, but a lot of shade tree guys will fill in a rusty hole with bondo, then just paint over it. Well, the back side of the hole is not usually painted, so the bondo absorbs water and makes the rusty hole rust out even more. And, if used in a glob, it will crack over a period of time, leaving a crack in the paint.

 

Bondo is actually the name of a specific brand of body filler. It is a consumer grade product and you will not see it in professional shops. High quality fillers are availabe and in the right hands and used for the proper application allow for those award winning paint jobs.

I agree that a lot of the bad rap on body fillers is due to incorrect use. Generally the maximum thickness should be less than 1/4 inch. Slobbering filler over rust is slip shod and done either by someone who doesn't care or is doing a quick job to dump a good looking car on an unsuspecting buyer.

 

cool thanks guys

 

Body Filler is not bad at all, its when people use it to replace metal work.

 

So what you are all saying is: Bondo is not bad.....people that use bondo are bad

 

all new car use bondo it replaced lead because of the health concerns of lead work but body fillers have health concerns also!! body filler used properly are the best product a bodyman. its when it used in excess its bad!!!

 

No, what im saying is bondo can have poor after effects when it is used improperly.

 

It's good if you know what you're doing.