Is Bondo Brand Body Filler Hard to Sand? Are Expensive Fillers Worth It?

Is Bondo harder to sand than other auto body fillers? This video will help answer that question by comparing body fillers while fixing a large dent. Tools, materials and Merch listed below:
🔥 2nd Filler: Auto Body Master lightweight body filler
🔥 Cheese Grater Blade: Stanley 21-299 10-Inch Surform Half Round Regular Cut
🔥 Sandpaper: 40 Grit long board paper 2-3/4" Wide - ebay
🔥 Tape: 3M Automotive Refinish Masking Tape
🔥 Rubber Block: 5" Rubber Sanding Block - Harbor Freight (example)
🔥 8" Orbital Sander: National Detroit 900 bondo hog sander
🔥 DA with 120 grit 5" pad: National Detroit
🔥 Primer: Auto Body Master lacquer primer surfacer
🔥 Spray Gun: Cambell Hausfeld DH5800 or DH580000AV (new model)

[rustyedmoore]

Great video! I have watched many people doing body and paint on youtube. By far your are the most respectable and straight shooting person ive watched. I learn somthing new everytime i watch one of your videos. Thank you.

[tojo]

It's great to watch a experienced body man and have him explain the process

[russdavis]

One thing I have found which has helped me in the 'separation dept.' if body filler has been sitting unused and unopened for a few days... is to put the can in a paint shaker to mix the resins which sometimes settle leaving a bit of the liquid on top.

I seem to have a smoother finish when sanding without getting pinholes, even with the less expensive fillers.

[Loompius]

That trick with the tape on the body line. Love it

[SomeGuyInSandy]

You are an artist with that cheese grater! Thanks for the head to head comparison.

[pstreetgarage]

Hey Jerry. I always get so pumped when I watch your videos...Then I try it on my own vehicles and it's never quite as nice, . No where near actually. I think I cheap out on sand paper. I did follow your advice and I bought a small cheese grater. It's really helped reduce the sanding !!!! Great video. Great advice.

[unclemarksdiyauto]

I often wondered this same question. I have always purchased the Bondo brand in the pasted for the few times I have tinkered with the poor attempts I have tried at repairing something. Thanks again Jerry for posting this video.

[rolfbjorn]

I rarely use polyester filler due to the smell of it causing diplomatic issues in the apartment. But the regular Bondo doesn't spread as well, cures tacky, and even past the tacky layer... it gums up sandpaper. I prefer to deal with the super hard glass filled version from Canadian Tire (I discovered under the label it was evercoat rebranded as Motomaster), or to try and sand wet wood glue or a diamond plate. Basically, can't always use the cheese grater, if it was applied thin to begin with! I get a better finish with glass reinforced vs this generic bondo.

EDIT: I use polyester filler where wood filler or a drywall compound won't cure fast enough or won't stick or be durable enough, and epoxy would be a pain to mix and apply and wait for the full cure before sanding. Or model making sort of things, woodworking, general repairs.

[DavidGuns]

I find most DIY do not use a Raps to cut it down, so maybe that is why some people say it's harder to sand

[danfarris]

Sure wish that I could remember the name of filler that my buddy’s dad used in his shop 40 years ago. Once I tried it, thats all I used for at least 10 years. Very easy to sand, no shrinkage and excellent feathering. All that I remember is that it was gold color. But 3 times the price of regular old Bondo. It may have been a Mar hyde product as that was a brand that the local Werners Auto carried at the time. Boy do I miss those old parts stores!

[bjr]

Have you made a video comparing different brands and/or types of sandpaper?
I'm glad to see your channel is growing. You have great practical content.

[bluesman]

You really did a great job on this video Jerry. It has been hot in Colorado too. I hope life is good for you and your family.

[billsmith]

Thanks for showing that. Brings me back to when I first started on my 71 Ghia. Times have changed. Thank you!

[jcx]

Just wanted to say thank you for your videos. They have been extremely helpful to me.

[autobodytrainingsolutions]

I don’t know if you remember the old Ditzler 999 but that filler was like sanding concrete. Anything made today is easy to sand compared to the old fillers. I haven’t used glazing putty in years just because today’s fillers are a lot easier to apply and sand.
Take care Jerry

[motoworks]

I would refer to what Jerry says as gospel but I stepped up my filler from bondo to a brand upol which is still pretty inexpensive. I struggle to get bondo to spread nice without flashing and then it always wants to flash right where you already spread it. I end up with misshapen bulges. After I switched I knew immediately I was happy to pay 3 dollars more. I don't have the experience that the pros have so maybe it's just me.

[eddiebarrera]

I don't find them hard to sand at all, but there is brands now adays that cost less than Bondo brand filler, it's all on.the timing in sanding body filler, usually 15 minutes, I hit it with my 36, especially with this temps.

[TimothyYoung-dehz]

Yes we used to use that brand it was hard to sand so we switched to a different brand 💯 percent better 👍👍✌️✌️💯💯

[trb]

With a battery powered palm sander bondo comes right off.
Your cheese grater was a new twist that looked super fast.A good body man is definitely an artist many years in the making.

[river]

Thanks for all the tips and tricks. It's always fun watching a pro/artist at work. I've always been curious on how long a typical body filler job will last expecially in Michigan? I'm subscribed and I watch the ads in support of the channel.