Is there a way to thin body filler (Bondo, MicroLite, etc) for a final coat to fill sanding scratches? The last coat of drywall mud has a little water added to smooththe finish, so why not with filler.

Has anyone successfully tried this? Thinner, Mineral Spirits, etc???

 

I've never tried adding any chemicals.

You don't need to thin it. Just don't add as much hardener to it and it will stay softer so you can work with it longer to get a thinner finish. You'll still need to sand it smooth.

 

use the glazing compund when it gets down to the small stuff. Just do the bondo the best u can first with the bondo.

 

Dont thin, doesnt like that much. Use polyester putty, or glazing compound. Currently we are using a product from Keystone, called Flo Putty (works good in cooler temps). It will fill all the pinholes that are inharent to bondo, if you take a blow gun and blow the bondo off and look closely you will see them, you dont need much of the floputty, just barely wipe it over the top then wipe most back off.

Sorry, if you put more/less hardner than recommended by the mfg'r to either make it cure slower/faster, you run the risk of it not setting properly and maybe cracking or something like that.

 

Fiberglass resin works to thin bondo.
I would use spot puddy after primer to fill imperfections/pin holes.
That would be the easiest.

over and out
gseeders

 

I called Martin Senour, who makes NAPA's Micolite. They said the solvent in the product is Acetone and I can thin the product 5% with lacquer thinner.

Thanks for the other answers and hope these can help someone else.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

when i used to work for a fiberglass outfit, we used a marine grade filler for our plugs and moulds, to thin it for the final work, we just added a little acetone, worked fine for that, then a few coats of sanding primer and we were in business

 

Recently discovered by accident (setting filler ontop of kerosene heater) that if you get it really hot.. its really thin. now as it cools it gets harder but it works... Still easier to use finishing putty

 

Man that sounds like an accident waiting to happen Scott !
Filler on a heater BOOM!


please becareful !

Rich

We all have done those kinds of things !
yes rather than thin filler use the products available as stated .

 

Haven't seen any bad effects from it yet. Was a mistake anyway. Just wanted to get it warm not Runny... lol

 

You can use fiber glas resin,just don't use to much,and don't wait to long to sand it!! Thebondo hardener sets it off just like any other time.