How to Put on Body Filler

When your car has a ding, dent or small hole in the sheet metal, replacing and repainting the part is not the only option. Body filler is a plastic filler material that bonds with sheet metal to fill holes and low places on your car. Some auto enthusiasts say body filler is a bad thing and using too much of it is, but it is necessary in most cases. Mixing body filler is an often overlooked, but crucial step to repairing your car.

Things You'll Need

• 80-grit sandpaper
• Body filler
• Hardener
• Plastic squeegee
• Palette
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Sanding block
• Primer

Instructions

1. Sand areas in need of body filler with 80-grit sandpaper. Remove all existing paint and primer here so you can apply the filler to the bare metal.

2. Scoop some filler onto a palette with a plastic squeegee. Use enough to fill the low sanded areas. Squeeze a small amount of hardener from the tube onto the filler. Read label instructions for the exact amount to use as each brand of filler requires a different amount.

3. Mix the hardener and filler together with your squeegee until they are well blended. Mix until you see one solid color and the filler isn't just marbled with the color of the hardener.

4. Apply the filler to the sanded surface as soon as you mix it. Use the squeegee to put the filler on the car's surface. Smooth the filler and let it dry for one hour.

5. Sand the dried filler with 220-grit sandpaper on a long sanding block. Sand in an "X" pattern, using the long edge of the block as the leading edge. Check the sandpaper and add a fresh sheet when it gets dull.

6. Smooth the body filler so that it's level with the surface of the car. Seal the body filler with a coat of primer.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no exact measurement for the amount of hardener to use when mixing body filler, so read the label instructions carefully to judge your needs.

• Wear a mask when sanding body filler. Wear latex or similar gloves when handling body filler, as it is toxic to your skin.