Hi, I have a general question about filling.  I watched a petty good Eastwood video on youtube and in the video the guy used something that looked like a dark powder for flaw detection (to show scratches and pinholes, etc).  He never mentioned what he used and I wondered if any of you could make any recommendations.  I don't want to use paint because you'd have to sand if off again if you needed more filler.  Thanks!

 

I have not seen the youtube film from eatwood. I have not seen a powder treatment for this work.

After filling minor repair work and skin coating with filler I give it a coat of spray putty and then I use a rattle can and give it a light dust coat of black. That way I can see where the high and low spots are when I block sand it.

Im absolutly not a speacialist on the subject, but it works for me.

I have some photos of my spoiler. It was primed with plastic primer than a coat of spray putty and a rattle can. Sanded back and then primed for the top coat. Its not perfect, but a lot better than just painting it.
Another trick I learnt when sanding lines along the side of the car is to tape the line and sand to it. Then change over by taping the section you sanded and sanding the other side. Gives you nice straight lines.

Edited September 18, 20159 yr by EuroDat

Not sure why you don't want to use a light coat of paint as a "guidecoat" to detect imperfections in the Bondo layer.  Maybe I've been doing it all wrong for the last 50 years 

 

Check this site:  

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/paint-body/hrdp-0805-how-to-use-body-filler/

 

Dennis

Based on my experiences... Don't use Bondo brand. Go to a paint shop and buy a good filler. Spray some black sandable primer and then a gray sandable primer. Don't use spray cans because they don't sand well and block up the sandpaper. Buy good paper (Norton). Use EuroDat's process of sanding and you'll see high spots in black and low spots in gray. The tape line trick works well too. Good luck!

 

Chuck

Not sure why you don't want to use a light coat of paint as a "guidecoat" to detect imperfections in the Bondo layer.  Maybe I've been doing it all wrong for the last 50 years 

 

Check this site:  

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/paint-body/hrdp-0805-how-to-use-body-filler/

 

Dennis

Dennis:

 

Thanks for that.  Excellent article.  I'll give it a try. 

There is a fairly new product for guide coating called dry guide coat. It is a dry powder you spread on the surface. There are several companies that make it. I agree with Chuck buy good plastic filler. Evercoat makes several different ones. I buy the most expensive one I can afford. There is not that much difference in price in the big scheme of this. I think I am using Rage Gold Extreme currently. Works well and sands easily. You can guide coat with cheap black paint too. If you buy dry guide coat, one can will last a hobbyist forever.

There is a fairly new product for guide coating called dry guide coat. It is a dry powder you spread on the surface. There are several companies that make it. I agree with Chuck buy good plastic filler. Evercoat makes several different ones. I buy the most expensive one I can afford. There is not that much difference in price in the big scheme of this. I think I am using Rage Gold Extreme currently. Works well and sands easily. You can guide coat with cheap black paint too. If you buy dry guide coat, one can will last a hobbyist forever.

Thanks Pat.  Dry guide coat is what I was talking about.  I'm going to try this stuff out and see:

 

http://3mcollision.com/3m-dry-guide-coat-applicator-kit-05861.html

The 3M stuff is good. It's a little pricey for a hobbyist but I will probably go the same route when I start blocking.

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/3m-dry-guide-coat-cartridge-applicator-kit-05861-p-11157.aspx

 

$40 is not that bad and it sounds like it has some advantages.