Autobody filler/compound for woodworking
billstuckey
| Posted in General Discussion on
I’m curious if anyone has ever used autobody filler in woodworking to fill large voids or gaps, that will later be painted.
I have a situation where i need to fill an area that is about 6″ x 14″ by about 2mm deep. I would normally use wood and sand it smooth, however it’s on an inside (concave curve) and I would never be able to bend a piece to fit the exact curve. It’s part of some interior architectural woodwork that has been damaged.
Using drywall compound or spackle would be to brittle to withstand the seasonal movement of the underlying wood. I’m wondering if auto body filler may just be the ticket here, since I’m sure it’s very durable and built for some movement.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Bill
Replies
Autobody filler works very well in that application. Sticks like crazy, sands and paints well.
I have... about 10 years ago I had my kitchen gutted and renovated. All the voids, gaps, knots and nail holes were filled with Bondo by the finish carpenters, then primed and painted- a decade later and everything is a-OK. Since then I have used it for finish carpentry myself with good results. It does tend to set up fairly quickly, and you want to smooth it out well with a putty or taping knife as it is very hard when dry and thus not easily sanded.
Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Dont know about the void filling but I would think it would work. A lot of folks use it to seal up the edges of MDF before painting so it obviously doesn't have any problem sticking to wood (if you can call MDF wood). My other thought is building it up with layers of epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth that's used for boatbuilding.
If you build it he will come.
Absolutely..............MDF and Bondo are like hand and glove. Through the mid 80's faux lacquer finishes were all the rage. All done with auto paints........ Bondo, sand, prime, paint, and compound out.
Worked with a finisher that was great. Would custom make finishes for our designers.
Hope this helps.......Neil
http://www.furnitology.com
Bill, Bondo came out with a UV cure filler five or six years ago. It is about as thick and smooth as mayo, and is easy to work, in that you have as long as you need to play with it to get a nice fair surface. When you like what you are seeing, just take it outside into the sunlight, and it will cure in full-sun in about 10 minutes. longer if it is cloudy.
It has a limitation of 1/8" per layer, but you can use multiple layers.
For big broad areas like you describe, you have to work pretty fast with the old mix type. You can find both in a good auto part store.
If you go to the paint aisle at Home Depot, they have Bondo in gallons. IIRC, it's about $19. They also have quarts. It's about the best thing I have seen for filling wood.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
BONDO I hear they fix the space shuttle wit' it!
<"BONDO I hear they fix the space shuttle wit' it!">That would explain a lot.Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
BONDO!, been using for over 15 years. Works great! Back in High school there were kids that could build a whole car out of the stuff! Well, the body anyway. Great for paint grade.
John
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