PSA: I was using way too much filler on bumpers for years.

An old timer at the shop in Dayton saw me laying it on thick and pointed out I was just creating more sanding work. Anyone else catch themselves doing more prep than needed on plastic repairs?

3 comments

3 Comments

henry_moore5524d ago

My first few bumpers I'd lay on filler a good 1/8 inch thick thinking it would hide everything. Then I hit a spot on a Chrysler 300 where the filler cracked right along the repair line after a week. @wren_carr is spot on about the sanding, I was burning through 80 grit like crazy. Once I thinned it down to just a skim coat over the damage my arms thanked me and the repairs actually held up better on flex tests. Have you noticed any difference in how the filler bonds to the plastic since you switched?

wren_carr24d ago

Same here man. I used to just slop on extra filler thinking it would save time but it just made a mess. Once I started going thinner and only adding where it actually needed it my bumpers came out way cleaner with half the sanding.

torres.jason24d ago

Jeez, how thick are we talking? I had a bumper where I laid it on like I was frosting a cake and ended up with a sag line after it cured. Did you notice a big difference in how the filler held up on flex tests once you thinned it out?