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Showerthought: I used to think a full quarter inch of filler was just fine for a door ding.
Back in 2010 at the shop in Tacoma, we'd slap on the filler thick and sand it down for what felt like hours. Now I aim for less than an eighth of an inch, maybe just a skim coat, and block it with 80 grit first. The switch came after a job on a classic Mustang where the old thick filler cracked after two summers. It's just stronger and looks better. Anyone else find they use way less filler now than they did a decade back?
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thomasgonzalez24d ago
You really think an eighth is thin? I still lay it on pretty heavy for some jobs, especially on older cars where the metal isn't perfect. A good filler applied right won't crack if you prep the surface well. I've had more issues with thin coats not sticking right than with thick ones failing.
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jessicap8224d ago
Actually, thick filler can trap heat and shrink, causing cracks later.
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henryt1824d ago
Yeah, that part about thick filler not cracking if you prep well... prep is key, but physics still wins. A really thick layer just can't cure the same all the way through. It might look fine for a season, then a temperature change makes it move and it cracks from the inside out. Thin, shaped layers stick better and dry right.
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