Running board body work
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: peyton, colorado
Running board body work
Two running board restoration questions for a 48 F-1. First, the outside, verticle edge of both running boards, has a fairly rough, walnut shell like surface. I've done lots of hammer work on them, but I can't get them smooth enough. If I skim that surface with bondo, will it hold up? That area won't get stepped on, but it may still flex during use, and it's a fairly long surface. Second, on the top, step surface, I've welded in some small patch panels. I've got a few small weld bead pits to fill. With all the talk of using lead, what about solder for something that small? I'm sure bondo would be out as that area will see foot traffic.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Lead will hold paint. I'm not sure about the solder. Would depend on what you used. For the small weld porosity, I would just use bondo or perhaps a good caulk that that can be worked and will hold paint.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,875
Likes: 3,114
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The boards on my F-2 were pretty nice but still needed a little work. I straightened the edges as best as I could and the laid a thin coat of bondo on them. I also did the same with the one small patch I did over the channel brace that runs on an angle under the board where the board always rot. I then sprayed them with black chip guard, you could also use bed liner. It hides any imperfections and holds up really well. I did this at least seven years ago and still looks like it did when I did it. Also, if you would scratch the board from every day use, you can easily dab a little coating to cover the repair and with textured surface you won't be able to see it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
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From: Tucson AZ
I have sucessfully done these small repairs with Gorilla Hair, it is amazing stuff!! I think you could almost put threads in it when it sets up. It's waterproof and it finishes and paints just like regular body filler.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
also called kitty hair. Most body shop and automotive paint suppliers carry it, bondo that has fine fibers in it, give it a coat of catalized spot putty after to prevent fibers from telegraphing thru paint
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Freshman User
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Originally Posted by rhopper
I'm sure bondo would be out as that area will see foot traffic.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Originally Posted by mtskibum16
A thin coat of bondo on the side should be just find. I also think bondo would hold up on the top surface as well but some of the other ideas mentioned would work as well.
Would you comment a little bit more on the 'bondo' you're talking about? If you're talking about the bondo you can get at the local auto parts store, they use a talc-based body filler which is prone to water absorbtion and cracking.
The application rhopper is describing would be prone to flexing, where regular 'bondo' would tend to crack, even with a thin application.
Would appreciate your feedback.
Edit: Ten years ago the 'Bondo' branded stuff at auto parts stores was talc-based. Have they changed the formula since then?
Last edited by desertdave55; Nov 19, 2005 at 01:05 AM.
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: New England
Great info guys - my F-3 boards had holes and I put the regular fiberglass on it. Hard and brittle now. I may put an actual 2 x 10 board on top of the metal or replace the metal with board if it gets real bad. I'll try some of your suggestions in the spring. One car garge, truck is under a tarp, wife's suv in the garage - you know the drill. Now my 8 year old wants a baja bug to work on - yep - not a typo - my 8 year old. Perhaps I am setting a bad example.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,789
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From: Connecticut
Boy 48tordf3,
Youv'e been misdirected in life.
You should be like me.............
De-tached 3-car garage, Bay 1, 1948 F-5; Bay 2, 1986 Ford Stepside 4x4; Bay 3 1997 Ford Flareside 4x4 Lariat; Kubota Tractor in between Bays 2 & 3.
Wife's Merc ........................Outside
She's the "boss of the house" ........The Garage is Mine!
Youv'e been misdirected in life.
You should be like me.............
De-tached 3-car garage, Bay 1, 1948 F-5; Bay 2, 1986 Ford Stepside 4x4; Bay 3 1997 Ford Flareside 4x4 Lariat; Kubota Tractor in between Bays 2 & 3.
Wife's Merc ........................Outside
She's the "boss of the house" ........The Garage is Mine!