struppi

I've done some research and just wanted to know if I have the following ideas correct.

From what I understand, filler should be used on bare metal. The repair area should be stripped to bare metal beyond the actual repair.

The filler is then applied, sanded and feathered in with the bare metal surrounding the repair area.

At this point there will be an area of filler surrounded by bare metal surrounded by sanded paint. Filler should not overlap sanded paint.

Self etching primer would then be applied across the filler, bare metal and sanded paint to create a uniform paintable surface.

Does this sound correct?

Thanks for the help!

WihaSi

You're on the right track
Read the sticky at the top of the page for more info https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1962364

struppi

Thanks.

I have read the sticky and there is a lot of good info in there. Some things are just not clear in my mind though. For example, under feather edging, it states to sand the filler until the filler and old (sanded) paint blend smoothly into each other. This implies that filler is overlapping sanded paint and is a little different than what I was describing in my first post in which an area of bare metal is left exposed between the filler and sanded old paint.

Most of things I come across state that filler should only be applied to bare metal. I've only come across a few references to filling over sanded paint and I think this is only with respect to specific products.

Does anyone have any opinions on this?

I do everything on my car, but haven't done any body work before; I just want to make sure it lasts.

Thanks.

Unique Artwerkz

You want to make sure you put plenty of filler on, when you sand, it will easily remove any excess. I am redoing my crx fenders now, I sanded to bare metal on the actual dent, used filler, sanded with 320, put more filler to make sure its pretty level and sanded one more time, then I primed it and set it under and flouresent light, it will show any deffects. Yes the area with filler will blend to the surrounding, so if you over lap a little, when you sand it smooth it will lay smooth. You are on the right track though, good luck!

WihaSi

You want the filler to stop at the old paint, where it is feathered. When you are happy with your repair then use a primer filler over the entire repair area, you want to spray the primer filler over the repair area and old paint, then block it down.

sc4dr

Hands down the best way to spread filler, is to just barely overlap your feather-edge with "mud". If the paint is sanded you won't have any adhesion problems. You'll know when your done sanding because you will just barely make out the featherd paint edge under the filler. This way you will need less primer to fill in any voids because, your repair is now flush with the rest of the panel.

All the quality fillers I use can be spread over sanded paint if it only requires a skim coat. You wouldnt want to put filler over a large dent that still has paint on it.

struppi

Thanks.

So to summarize, feathering the filler edge over sanded paint is okay, but the primary repair should be over bare metal. I think the rest is clear.

sc4dr

yep.