Things You'll Need:
- Filler
- Hardener
- Plastic squeegee
- Board
- Sandpaper
- Dual action sander
- Sanding block
- Primer
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Step 1
Finish all body work up to the point of applying the body filler. Make sure the surface has been grinded or sanded down to the bare metal. Body filler won't adhere properly to painted surfaces. If applied to a painted surface, it will eventually crack and chip, causing major blemishes in the paint.
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Step 2
Pour the filler onto a flat disposable surface, such as thick cardboard. Add a small amount of hardener, about the size of a quarter, and use the squeegee to mix the two materials together. Make sure they are mixed completely. They are two different colors, so the mixing process should end with one solid-colored material.
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Step 3
Apply the filler to the area of bare metal with the plastic squeegee. Make one thick layer that stands higher than the surrounding surface, since it will later be sanded down. Allow the filler to dry for at least one hour.
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Step 4
Sand the filler with 80-grit sandpaper until it is the shape you need it to be. You can use a block sander with sandpaper to sand by hand or a dual action sander with sandpaper to make the process much faster.
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Step 5
Go over the area again using 120-grit sandpaper, which smoothes the scratches and grooves made by the 80-grit sandpaper.
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Step 6
Spray the finished filler with a thin layer of primer to protect it. Filler is porous and can be damaged by moisture in the air. Primer seals the filler and keeps it ready for further work or paint.
