Did the factory use Bondo?

[Keith R.]

This sounds like a stupid question but did the factory use bondo to fill uneven areas before painting? I ask because I am stripping my car and I see what appears to be original paint over bondo. Perhaps it is an old repair but just wondering. If the factory did not use filler, what did they do to smooth over the transition between bonding sections?

[Tracy C.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

I think they just used the same bonding adhesive to fill the joints. Usually enough squeeze out to do the job.

[John H.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

This sounds like a stupid question but did the factory use bondo to fill uneven areas before painting? I ask because I am stripping my car and I see what appears to be original paint over bondo. Perhaps it is an old repair but just wondering. If the factory did not use filler, what did they do to smooth over the transition between bonding sections?

Keith -

The factory used what they called "putty rub" (an extremely dense fast-curing polyester filler) to deal with uneven areas, gouges, pits, solvent pops in bond joints, etc.


PitFillGrind1024.jpgPitFillApply1024.jpg

[Keith R.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

Thanks John. Polyester filler is one of the components of Bondo and I am guessing that "putty rub" could also be considered plastic filler or thermoset plastic. So, it might not be surprising to encounter this underneath original factory paint in certain areas.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

"Bondo", no, but they did use the bonding agent to fill and level seams and panels. Some bodies have a lot, some have very little. It should be about this color.

Here is an original. Not the filling at the doors.

[Keith R.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

So, it was a greyish color then?

[Joe R.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

Hi John,

Were those pictures taken in the factory back in the day? I'm guessing so, but hate to assume anything!

Joe

[John H.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

Hi John,

Were those pictures taken in the factory back in the day? I'm guessing so, but hate to assume anything!

Joe

Joe -

Yes - B&W shots taken by Richard Sudnick of GM Photographic in the early spring of 1962.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Did the factory use Bondo?

"Bondo", no, but they did use the bonding agent to fill and level seams and panels. Some bodies have a lot, some have very little. It should be about this color.

Here is an original. Not the filling at the doors.

That should have been "Note" the filling at the doors. It is common to find, door gaps, seams, and panels leveled, with the filler.