Hiding a seam with Bondo question

Tornadoboy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
9,112
Reaction score
1,411
Location
North Attleboro, Massachusetts
Hi everybody,

I'm fixing the rotten bottom of a side panel by sawing off the bad wood about 4 inches up all the way across and then biscuitting a new piece in, and I was wondering what the best way to make the seam invisible would be? I intend to secure it well in place with both the biscuits, glue and screws, but will the Bondo still tend to crack along the seam? Would beveling it slightly to make it thicker over the crack help prevent it?
 
Last edited:
Why don't you look into wood fillers? If you're worried about the joint flexing (not an unreasonable worry, I think) and cracking the bondo, try to find a wood filler that has some flex to it.

And I'd definitely bevel the edge a little, no matter what I used.
 
If you look at my Tron restore thread in the Restoration Forum you'll see what I did. In addition to what you're suggesting, I also placed plywood along the seam on the inside of the cab for further reinforcement. Bondo is pretty strong and actually slightly flexible, so I wouldn't worry about it flexing and cracking. Remember this stuff is meant for cars that drive over bumpy roads every day.
 
bondo holds up fine, provided you've glued and firmed up the joint very well.. bondo isn't used to attach the two pieces so they should already be firmed up and bondo used just to hide the seam. To hide the bondo you need to prime, prime and prime again.

/b
 
why don't you look into wood fillers? If you're worried about the joint flexing (not an unreasonable worry, i think) and cracking the bondo, try to find a wood filler that has some flex to it.

And i'd definitely bevel the edge a little, no matter what i used.

wood filler is garbage when will people learn this?
 
bondo works fine..

did it on my tron man no issues and its been moved around alot...

lots of glue and biscuits, itll be solid...

grind or sand a slight "dish" between the panels. Bondo goes in and makes a smooth transition between the pieces with this method..

you dont have to dish but it makes it alot easier to get that smooth transition as there may be slight height differences between the two pieces of wood..
 
bondo works fine..

did it on my tron man no issues and its been moved around alot...

lots of glue and biscuits, itll be solid...

grind or sand a slight "dish" between the panels. Bondo goes in and makes a smooth transition between the pieces with this method..

you dont have to dish but it makes it alot easier to get that smooth transition as there may be slight height differences between the two pieces of wood..

Do you bevel it before putting together or after? I guess after makes more sense, doesn't it?
 
yup after....

a small 60 grit disc on a drill works perfect..

dont grind much, just dish it a little to allow the bondo to do the transitioning
 
Back
Top Bottom