Metal Fillers to Repair body pannels

Metal Fillers to Repair body pannels

Author
Discussion

fly fisher

Original Poster:

442 posts

240 months

Monday 17th November 2014
quotequote all
Hi,
I am thinking of using a metal filler to repair a inner body panel. It sits next to the engine bay, therefore needs to withstand some heat.

Most of the pannel is sound however there are some areas of corrosion which I want to sand back and fil if nessasary.

Whats the most approreate filler? Can you get metalized ones, which harden like steel?

Thanks,
Will

Carsie

925 posts

203 months

Monday 17th November 2014
quotequote all
There are no real issues with using any body fillers within the engine bay, the caveat being the degree to which you're using it.

1. I assume that the panel isn't structural in which case filler is a no -no

2. Filler should really only be used as panel finisher to mask metalworking. Look at Retroride TonyBMW as an example of the correct way to finish/re-work a panel.

Conclusion - don't bodge - don't plaster it on and it'll be fine in the engine bay.

HTH smile

droopsnoot

11,810 posts

241 months

Monday 17th November 2014
quotequote all
You could always lead load the pitted area, but I believe it takes quite a lot of practice to master the technique. I've also got an area on my bulkhead very close to the exhaust manifold, and am thinking of how best to tackle it.

Pie with sauce

83 posts

112 months

Monday 17th November 2014
quotequote all
droopsnoot said:
You could always lead load the pitted area, but I believe it takes quite a lot of practice to master the technique. I've also got an area on my bulkhead very close to the exhaust manifold, and am thinking of how best to tackle it.
I would prefer a good quality filler rather than lead near the exhaust manifold. The lead will sweat and perhaps even soften.

But saying that, very close to the exhaust manifold, no paint or filler is going to last long, so best replace the metal.

XJ Flyer

5,526 posts

129 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
I think you're looking for Loctite S1/2.It has been in use since at least the 1970's.The problem when it is used on car body applications is that it isn't as flexible as the plastic types so can split and crack.

www.xtrack.nl/en/product/loctite-3471-epoxy-pasta2...


droopsnoot

11,810 posts

241 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
Pie with sauce said:
I would prefer a good quality filler rather than lead near the exhaust manifold. The lead will sweat and perhaps even soften.

But saying that, very close to the exhaust manifold, no paint or filler is going to last long, so best replace the metal.
Oh, I have replaceed the metal - the filler is to get the final shape and smooth out grinding marks and so on. It's not a major thing, just that it will be a gloss finish so I don't want it to be obvious that it's had a patch, but it will be largely behind the engine so not directly in the eye-line.

It must be far enough away that I'm over-thinking it - the paint seems to last perfectly well in that spot. and on the chassis rail where the manifold is a bit closer.

fly fisher

Original Poster:

442 posts

240 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
quotequote all
What about this stuff...
http://alvinproducts.com/ProductLine/tabid/62/aT/V...

Looks good... Anyone used it?

Will

Slidingpillar

761 posts

135 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
quotequote all
Before you lead load or use any filler, learn how to panel beat. I removed a huge amount of modern type filler from my vintage car when I rebuilt it. Carefully beat out the dents, filled the numerous holes with proper steel repairs and when I was done, used about a tenth of a thumble full of filler..

droopsnoot

11,810 posts

241 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
I'm trying that approach, but it's not an easy skill to learn. I thought I'd made a lovely repair section for the bulkhead area I mentioned above, but now I've stuck some etch primer on it, it looks terrible and will be a thousand times worse with top coat. It's tempting to re-do some of the jobs now I'm a bit more experienced, but I do actually want to get the car finished at some point.