Filler for over epoxy coat?

[John Stevens]

I've got the pram ready for some filler in the joints and to smooth out a few spots on the hull. I was in the auto store tonight and found a product called "Bondo". It a polyester/fiberglass filler, can I use it over the epoxy resin? Are they compatible? Can I epoxy back over the Bondo? I could use the epoxy (West System) with a filler but it sands like a rock.

TIA,

John

[capt jake]

Well.... contrary to other opinions, I was informed by a reputable autobody/boat rebuilder guy that you can use bondo in moderation to fair some details. I tried to use many epoxy blends to fair things out. As you have said, it is hard to sand and takes forever to cure before you can sand.

I got all of the main fillets set with epoxy. Went over them again with an epoxy blend. Then I sanded, wiped with laquer thinner and applied a 'Bondo' type product. The nakme of the product escapes me at present, though it is still a polyseter based filler. More flexible and more expensiv than Bondo. I will have to dig in the shop to find the name, but it was recommended by the fellow I afore mentioned.

I have been very pleased with the results thus far.

And yes, I coated over it with epoxy. No problems.

[capt jake]

Putty Cote, mfg by Dynatron, which is the parent company for Bondo.

[Bruce]

Jeez John, no wonder we can never find you on the CFYC forum or at the monthly meetings, you are to busy building a fine little craft. If you get a chance, remember where you came from. :BIG:

Bruce

[adla]

i used epoxy with some 404 filler and a west system 800 roller on the bottom of my hull and found that doing that...several times with a good roughing up in between coats gave a nice smooth surface...i isn't such a chore to sand when it goes on so smooth...

a.

[Charlie Jones]

not hard to sand either if you catch it early- the longer epoxy cures, the harder it is to sand. I like to do any rough sanding as soon as the epoxy is cured enough to be able to sand it. If I've filled and have some piles of epoxy/filler I'll use a surform or a scraper to knock down any high spots and then sand. Even a few days can make a huge difference.

[John Stevens]

Thanks all!

Bruce- I check the CFYC site but don't do a lot of posting. And... my night gigs keep me away from most of the meetings. BTW now that you sold the 25 are you going to start building the next boat?

John

[Bruce]

Yes John, I got the plans for the CK-17 in the mail Monday. Have spent hours looking at them and deciding what to start on first. I really don't have the funds to start the hull right now so I think I will start with the daggerboard and rudder to get them out of the way. If you are coming to the CFYC meeting next week I am bringing the plans with me.

Bruce