Is this the right "Bondo" to use? (pic)

[DeLuSioNal29]

Hello all,

I used wood putty on my first cabinet and it came out great.  However, the two new cabs that I am working on need a little more TLC, so I hear that Bondo works best and is stronger.

I ventured to Home Depot and there were two to choose from.  Bondo for cars and "All purpose" Bondo.  I got the all purpose Bondo (pictured below).

I just wanted to double-check that this was the right stuff for stronger cabinet "patching up".

Thanks in advance!

[Encryptor]

I just got regular old car bondo. It seems to work great. I doubt there is much difference in them when you get right down to it.


Encryptor

[ChadTower]

That will do the job just fine.  For your purposes there isn't a ton of difference.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I figured the all purpose Bondo is made to adhere to wood (says so on the label).  The car Bondo says that you need to sand it down to bare metal.  Which is why I bought the all purpose one.

[TOK]

I figured the all purpose Bondo is made to adhere to wood (says so on the label).  The car Bondo says that you need to sand it down to bare metal.  Which is why I bought the all purpose one.

I think it says that because it won't adhere well to paint. I've used the car Bondo on a couple cabs, and it's bond to wood is very strong. Probably stronger than its bond to metal since the wood is so porous. If the stuff you got is still a two part mix, it is probably just as good.

[ChadTower]

I think the all purpose hardener is grey, though, which makes it a little harder to eyeball the mix for the right ratio.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I've never used Bondo before, so "eyeballing" will be of no use to me, since I don't have anything to compare it to.

However, I do recall on the directions on the tub of Bondo that you need to combine something or other until the color is consistent.  Perhaps is is tinted?  Don't know at the moment, but I'll have to look into it.

[extendedplayarcade]

Simple tip that might work. 

I had a buddy that restored old cars.  He used bondo on the jobs that just needed touch up.  (most of the time it was in the rear quarter panel near the back tires) He would sand down to the bare metal then in certain sections of the metal he would drill a hole or two through metal for the bondo to seat it self into the metal like a self made bondo dowel.

It worked great for him.  The cars would last much longer than most.

I also think the difference between the two bondos is that the bondo for cars is a little bit more expandable for heat and cold.  For contraction and expansion reasons.

I never used all purpose bondo though sounds like a great idea to fix a cab but a lot more work.

  I use that Stick Epoxy.  Easy to work with and hardends like a rock. I used it just for touch ups.  I used the same concept i learned from my car buddy.  I drilled holes in he wood so it had a good place to grip.

I hope it helps.
Brent
www.extendedplayarcade.com

[bigdog1977]

Thats the stuff I used worked out great!

[ChadTower]

I've never used Bondo before, so "eyeballing" will be of no use to me, since I don't have anything to compare it to.

However, I do recall on the directions on the tub of Bondo that you need to combine something or other until the color is consistent.  Perhaps is is tinted?  Don't know at the moment, but I'll have to look into it.

That's the problem with the all purpose stuff.  The car stuff is light grey and the hardener is pink - easy to mix to a consistent color.  The all purpose hardener is grey just like the putty.  It's not nearly as easy to get a consistent mix without the color.  Still, you'll get it.  Just be sure to remember that you don't usually get a perfect end surface with only one application.  It often takes a couple of layers to get it really smooth.

[mountain]

My guess is that the all purpose Bondo is the same product as the car stuff. The general public would probably never consider using Bondo for anything around the house. But, if they change the packaging and put "Home Solutions" on there, they open up a whole new market. I used the all purpose Bondo a while back and it felt like the same stuff too. I think the hardener is white though, not grey.

[ChadTower]

My guess is that the all purpose Bondo is the same product as the car stuff. The general public would probably never consider using Bondo for anything around the house. But, if they change the packaging and put "Home Solutions" on there, they open up a whole new market. I used the all purpose Bondo a while back and it felt like the same stuff too. I think the hardener is white though, not grey.

If it's white it's awfully close to the same color as the putty.  I just used it the other day and the hardener color disappears immediately into the putty.  Not easy to tell if it's thoroughly mixed.  Once this can runs out I'm probably going back to the car stuff.

[mountain]

Well if my above statement is true, one could always buy a spare tube of the red hardner. 

[ChadTower]

Well if my above statement is true, one could always buy a spare tube of the red hardner. 

I was thinking of just dropping a bit of red food coloring in the hardener before I mix it.  No use in buying something I already have.

[mountain]

That's a good point. I used to work with fiberglass alot and would use food coloring to dye each layer a different color as it was applied. It was a helpful guide when sanding and grinding on different shapes.

[DeLuSioNal29]

The All Purpose hardener was $4.99 more than the car bondo.  I haven't opened it up yet, so perhaps I should exchange it for the car one that's tinted.  It was the same size tub and everything.  I didn't buy it because I assumed that it only "stuck" to metal, but I see you guys confirm otherwise.  What say you all.  Good idea or not?  Should I exchange it?

Also, I want to repair the corners on the bottom on my cab as well and I was told that I could make a mold out of wood so that I can use the mold to shape the bondo on the cabinet to get a perfect edge.  However, wouldn't the bondo "bond" together with the wood mold that I am using?  How do you prevent this from happening?

~ D

[TOK]

I used heavy cardboard. Where the Bondo stuck to it, it was easy to tear away and sand flat.
After you patch and sand, use your hand as a guide. If you can feel it with your fingertips, you can't hide it with paint. 

[javeryh]

Incredible TOK.  In a few months I'm going to be busting out the bondo for the first time  - I will definitely use cardboard for the straight edges!   

[extendedplayarcade]

Spray Silicon Mold release might work well.

http://www.peakcandle.com/products/Silicone-Spray-Lubricant__A1018.aspx

The All Purpose hardener was $4.99 more than the car bondo.  I haven't opened it up yet, so perhaps I should exchange it for the car one that's tinted.  It was the same size tub and everything.  I didn't buy it because I assumed that it only "stuck" to metal, but I see you guys confirm otherwise.  What say you all.  Good idea or not?  Should I exchange it?

Also, I want to repair the corners on the bottom on my cab as well and I was told that I could make a mold out of wood so that I can use the mold to shape the bondo on the cabinet to get a perfect edge.  However, wouldn't the bondo "bond" together with the wood mold that I am using?  How do you prevent this from happening?

~ D

[ChadTower]

As does likely kitchen clingwrap.

[DeLuSioNal29]

So Tok,

In the first pic, there is not bondo in there yet correct?  I'm guessing you just glob it in there without putting anything else on top right?  Then you simply sand it down once it's completely dry?  Also, how did you secure the cardboard to the bottom of the cabinet?

[TOK]

So Tok,

In the first pic, there is not bondo in there yet correct?  I'm guessing you just glob it in there without putting anything else on top right?  Then you simply sand it down once it's completely dry?  Also, how did you secure the cardboard to the bottom of the cabinet?

Yes. Just make sure there are no chemicals on the cabinet. I wiped the finish with alcohol then spread the Bondo. If you can mix it and spread quickly, you'll likely get a pretty smooth finish on the first pass. As the hardener starts to activate it will start to pull on you. I'd let it sit a couple hours before sanding.

I meant to mention I tacked the cardboard on the back of the cab with a couple small nails.

[2600]

I've heard plexi works well too and you might be able to get some scraps from HD or lowes.  Haven't tried it myself.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I exchanged the Bondo today.  I have the normal "car" one now.  Turns out it was only $2 cheaper at $22.99.   

But at least I will be able to see the red hardener when mixing it.

Here's a pic.

[TOK]

Thats the exact stuff I use. It works great.