Bondo on fiberglass

[ggl205]

Everything I have read says you should not use Bondo on fiberglass. Has anyone successfully used Bondo to smooth areas of fiberglass? I don't plan to paint over this surface but would like the thin layer of Bondo to stay put.

John

[wobblywalrus]

Heck, I never knew it is a problem.  I has worked for me.

[donpearsall]

I have bondo-ed onto fiberglass on all the M/C bodies I have made. There is no reason why you can't. The surface has to be roughened and clean like any other application but once it hardens it is going to stay on just like any other surface it is made for. I have never heard that it is a problem. In fact you can buy bondo-glass that is made with fiberglass strands and resin. That is for gap-filling and not really for smoothing.

Don

[kiwi belly tank]

Sticks like dry $hit to a blanket!
  Sid.

[tauruck]

 Just like they all said. It works.
Make sure the glass surface is roughened up
and wiped with acetone. You want a good mechanical bond.
Thin layers won't be a problem but make sure the glass is cured well
before applying bondo. At least a few days.

[ggl205]

What a wonderful forum of highly experienced people this is! I thank you all for sharing your experience and keeping a novice from making too many mistakes.

Don, I am using Bondo Glass in areas that require filling. Although a bit pricey, it is some pretty nice stuff for what it is intended.

Man, what a learning experience this has been so far. I am at the sanding stage right now and not my favorite thing. Not sure if I will ever stop itching.

John

[floydjer]

Mike will know this one......Isn`t body filler the preferred adhesive when joining fiberglass to metal ??

[rouse]

Use EVER COAT, it will do a good job on Fiber Glass. Bondo not so good.

Rouse

[Milwaukee Midget]

Not sure if I will ever stop itching.

John

I used to unload boxcars of fiberglass insulation by hand.  At the end of the day, I would go home, get into the shower, and cover myself with menthol shaving cream.  It opens up the pours PORES (see below) and draws out the fiberglass.  Give it a couple of minutes and get the water going, then shower as usual.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

This guy is obsessed with beers, isn't he?

MM said:  "...It opens up the pours..."

Respectfully submitted for your consideration - from the Comma Cop, a former resident of the Twilight Zone.

[WOODY@DDLLC]

A poor excuse at best .............

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Hijack:  Anyone else remember when, back in the early 60s, Rod Serling (yes, that one) was the local host of the Thursday night movies on WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio?  The show started at 9 - he'd sit onstage and live, introduce the movie a bit, then it'd run 'til the 10 o'clock news, then Serling would be back on camera for a minute to re-start the movie.

Please somebody tell me you remember this.  Oh, and in the same time frame was The Outer Limits -- we now return control of your television to you.

Hijack over with - as far as I'm concerned.

[Milwaukee Midget]

This guy is obsessed with beers, isn't he?

MM said:  "...It opens up the pours..."

Respectfully submitted for your consideration - from the Comma Cop, a former resident of the Twilight Zone.

Well, yeah, I guess I drink in the shower - in fact, that's where I'm sending this post from. 

Still trying to get a handle on the Otto Corex and émigrés ( 8-) :| ) on my "Smart" phone.

[JoshHefnerX]

Thought I'd throw my half cent in here as I've played w/ this a little.  Typical body fillers are a mix of talc and vinyl based resin.  Most fiberglass is also vinyl based resin w/ glass fibers.  They're nearly identical.  The exception is if the fiberglass was laid out w/ epoxy resin, in which case surface prep would be important, as the epoxy can leave a waxiness that may prevent the vinyl resin from sticking. 

Generally a good sanding for tooth and wipe down w/ acetone or denatured alcohol is good for laying down ontop of already cured in either case.

[tauruck]

I have to feel for Chris on this one.
You suffered but you found a way to beat the B itch!!!!!.

Glass is evil and the unitiated go at it as if it was metal.
Grinders and the like. There are barrier creams you can apply
before starting work and use old clothes you can throw away
if you don't have those light weight disposable coveralls.

Chopped strand was invented by the devil and it shows.
The cloth fabric is less of a problem.

Don't do a Pat Nolan who by the way was a dead ringer for Mickey Rooney.
He was on holiday at the coast and went down to the docks to visit some
old "friends" who were building a big yacht. He had a bunch of beers for
the boys too. He saw what they were doing and offered to help. The guy was in a pair
of shorts and sandals. They marked some panels, gave him a grinder and bolted!!!!!.
Pat spent a week in hospital. He said he wanted to die.