The BONDO Era
06-25-2014, 09:22 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
The BONDO Era
What was the deal with BONDO in the 70's and 80's? I have been working on removing the paint from my body parts and they have BONDO up to 1/2" thick in places. A lot of the parts are from different sources so it was not just one person doing this. BONDO must have been dirt cheap based on the amount being used. People must have thought BONDO could make any backyard body man look like a master.
I am grinding the BONDO off so the panels can be repaired with resin and glass mat, but maybe I am the one doing it wrong.
I am grinding the BONDO off so the panels can be repaired with resin and glass mat, but maybe I am the one doing it wrong.
06-25-2014, 10:03 AM
#3
Drifting
That was the era that the cars end value did not justify the added expense of new 1/4's and doors etc. Doing the job right was too expensive for a rusty old beater which is what a lot of these cars were during that era.
06-25-2014, 11:08 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
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Back in '77 I had a buddy in high school who owned a black '67 Impala. Nice car. He bondo'd the bottom of the quarter panels, but never painted over them. Instead he kept washing and waxing the car, even the Bondo. You know... Bondo doesn't look half bad all glossy smooth and shiny. 
06-25-2014, 11:10 AM
#5
Team Owner
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How could you have come through the 60s, 70s, and 80s and NOT know about Bondo?
For what it is intended to do, it's a good product. Of course, it is not intended to be applied 1/2" thick or as a panel adhesive.
For what it is intended to do, it's a good product. Of course, it is not intended to be applied 1/2" thick or as a panel adhesive.
06-25-2014, 11:11 AM
#6
Safety Car
most body shops do not have the knowledge, or skills, or the time to work on a fiberglass Car. their standard repair procedure is bondo magic on steel cars...quick and fast.
06-25-2014, 06:11 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
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It depends on how the bondo was used. If cracks, breaks, and holes were fixed with it, that is wrong. If it was used to level a wavy panel, that is fine. I can guarantee any show car, even rust free cars, were coated with filler and primer, block sanded and repeated until the panel is smooth. Even new body panels need filling and blocking before paint. The key is using the right material for the job. Some fillers are not meant to be used on SMC. None are meant to be used to fill holes. Filler is an important tool, it just gets a bad name from misuse and abuse.
