What body filler do you use and why?

[JoeyD1968runner]

Just wondering what has been good for a newbie??

Joey D

 

[Fervantmender]

Evercoat Rage
Sands good which saves time and money

 

[flypaper]

Rage extreme and rage ultra
Extreme for strength and ultra for final
Finish as it sands easier then extreme does

 

[Lenny B]

Evercoat Short Strand Reinforced Fiberglass for any welded joints or high stress areas followed by Evercoat Rage Ultra for basic panel leveling and refining and finally a spray on filler such as Evercoat Feather Fill G2 for filling sand scratches and really fine leveling.

 

[Hemirunner]

Do you use them over epoxy or on bare steel?

 

[Pistol Pete]

Over SPI epoxy for me.

 

[Crider]

For me it's Dura glass or Fibre strand over welds. then rage extreme filler. final skim coat with dolphin glaze. Tamco 5310 primer

 

[JoeyD1968runner]

Thanks everyone,

Joey D

 

[Lenny B]

Do you use them over epoxy or on bare steel?

First and foremost always read the tech sheet for the product you are using. In the case of the Evercoat Body filler, I always apply epoxy to the bare steel first, however, Evercoat's says their product can be applied to direct metal and a lot of guys do. Either way is acceptable for Evercoat. For the sprayable filler, I always apply a coat of contrasting in color epoxy just prior so when I'm blocking the sprayable, I stop when I just start to see the epoxy.

 

[Hemirunner]

First and foremost always read the tech sheet for the product you are using. In the case of the Evercoat Body filler, I always apply epoxy to the bare steel first, however, Evercoat's says their product can be applied to direct metal and a lot of guys do. Either way is acceptable for Evercoat. For the sprayable filler, I always apply a coat of contrasting in color epoxy just prior so when I'm blocking the sprayable, I stop when I just start to see the epoxy.

So assuming you just finished blocking the sprayable but it’s not perfect, would you then cover that with another coat of epoxy before applying more sprayable and blocking again?

 

[Lenny B]

So assuming you just finished blocking the sprayable but it’s not perfect, would you then cover that with another coat of epoxy before applying more sprayable and blocking again?

No. If I block the sprayable and find some spots that I missed when using the regular body filler, I would just touch up that spot with the Rage Ultra and then guide coat it and the nearby area and then reblock it. If I feel I need to apply another coat of sprayable polyester to the whole car I will but I try to get it as close to perfect before I apply it the first time, however, sometimes a second application is needed. Keep in mind, the sprayable is for real fine filling, like paper thin. Anymore than that, use the regular body filler. The body should be near perfect before the sprayable is applied. Also, keep in mind, once all the polyester work is done, meaning regular and sprayable body fillers, you'll need to seal all of it with a Urethane Primer to keep water out. The polyester stuff is porous and can absorb water over time so they need a final sealing by a urethane product. I usually block the regular filler (Rage Ultra) out to 180 grit, then the sprayable out to 180 grit (at this point the car should be perfect), then apply the 2K High Build Urethane Primer and then block that to 400 or 600 grit depending on what the paint being applied next requires.

Also, you may want to vist autobody101.com and read there "Basics of the Basics" for doing restoration body work.