Different technique for Filler over Epoxy?

C

cstrom72

Ive only used filler once before and it was applied over bare metal. From what I was taught before was to do a light coat over bare metal while pressing down tightly go get a good bond. Then do a second coat do fill imperfections. Is this the same for epoxy?
 
There's no substantial difference. We do treat filler on epoxy a little differently here, but it has more to do with minimizing exposure of bare metal until the last skim coat is blocked, so that any bare metal will be covered by epoxy and not filler. This takes some practice to achieve, and you probably shouldn't worry too much about it. If you expose larger areas of metal before finishing the filler work, it's best just to shoot 2 more coats of epoxy over it and continue the next day.
 
Do you hit it with wax/grease remover first before spraying more epoxy or just blow it clean???
 
Depends on the environment, if others have had their paws on it, etc. If you wear gloves and your area is low in airborne crap like oils and silicones, there there should be no issue with going straight to primer.

Others may disagree, but cleaning bodywork like that allows the w&g remover to penetrate deeply, and requires a long flash time, like an hour or more depending on humidity.
 
So if I do, just make sure it flashes for a long time. Its only me myself and I in my garage and I wear gloves usually. But sometimes i forget and if Im checking my progress ill slide a hand across to feel for bumps and edges. Maybe to be safe ill hit it with w/g and flash it for and hour or more like you said
 
This might be a dumb question and im assuming less is more but after applying my first batch of filler and sanding it I have quite a few spots that have sanded thru to primer. Im going to shoot them with epoxy again and then do another coat of filler which i hope is my last and everything smooths out.. but if it doesnt how many times could/should a guy do this process???
 
Until it's right. It's a learning curve. When I was new to the trade I would take too much off the wrong way and spread it back on 4-5 times before getting it right. Now most repairs are done in 2 coats.
 
One tip that will help greatly is not to press too hard on your sanding block. Newbies often apply way to much pressure and the panel is flexing under the pressure. This pushes the filler down into the flexed panel and cause you to hit metal on both sides. You then stop sanding but when you feel the panel the filler still seems high.
Learn to let the sandpaper do the cutting and to change it often. The block should be held in a way to keep good contact with the panel without exerting a lot of pressure.
 
Thanks for the tip, I'm going back at her this afternoon, i definitely hit metal on the sides before the filter was flush. I'll try sanding lighter hopefully that is my problem. I'm using rage gold and it sands fairly easy.
 
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