What is best way to remove thick bondo?

I just started removing some thick bondo that a butcher body shop put on my car when they did some rust repair under my rear windshield a few years ago. They did a real hack job after welding in some new metal then covering it with almost a 1/4" of mud. It was cracked so I chipped away large areas with a screwdriver but have come to a point where it is really stuck to the metal now and still about 1/16" thick. Is it best to get out the grinder or just try and sand it off. I do not want to damage solid metal underneath. Thanks.

 

Try to take a small map gas or propane torch as well as a scraper to it. It loosens the bondo and wont hurt the metal.

 

Thanks for that tip. Sounds like less work than other methods.

 

The area is going to need work anyway, dont be afraid of the grinder or a rough sanding disc

 

Thanks Herb, come on up I'll let you run the grinder if you like. I have a crapload of work ahead of me. Don't know what I am in for but car is out of commission for a long time. How did the mirror situation work out??

 

These are good for digging out tight spots, too:



Devon

 

I like the 3M "hamburger" pads. Not sure what they "officially" call them

 

Those are great, too. Roloc is what they're called, some pretty tough scotchbrite on steroids at high rpm.

Devon

 

Nick means the 3M "wooly wheels"....much larger than a Roloc pad....you find them at HDepot and other places pre-mounted on a metal spindle that chucks into a drill bit or air tool. Can also get non-mounted ones at auto paint supply places. They may also make these with the Roloc attachment.

And yes...they are about the size of a hamburger patty but don't try to grille or eat them....too much fiber.

 

Thanks, Patton. I knew somebody would know what I was talking about. A good B-B-Q sauce does make them almost edible....:eek2: ou:

 

we'll ask Frank to throw a couple on his grille in March Nick and maybe Phil will give an award to the person that eats one:beer

 

I've used Jasco paint remover in the past. It's kind of a jelly, so it sticks to the surfaces pretty well. Brush it on, let it bubble up, and scrape it off. Almost no work at all, just a lot of waiting time.

 

Im pretty sure the hamburgers youre talking about are 3M Rust and Paint Removers.

I used them to clean the rust and paint (who would have known?) off my inner fenders when i was cleaning up my engine compartment.

They work much better than wire wheels, and all they do to metal (under short exposures) is shine it up.

They last longer too unless you hit sharp edges with them, it will tear them up.

 

+1 on the 3M "paint eaters". Got mine at Disc. auto... ate through in of paint and bondo like butter.

Really cool.. last forever. Bought 2 more so I can strip the whole car.. I couldn't believe how easy it ate it.

Gives alot of dust(It was snowing in Florida:grin: ) to play with too.. wear a mask, and do it outside.

 

You mean these, right?


Those things are great! (and yes it gets real dusty!)
I use them a lot too, need to sand a complete car down to the bare metal...:boring:

Another way to get rid of bondo is using a paint stripper (hot air gun) and heat up the bondo. This will make it soft, and you should be able to scrape it off.

Hans

 

That's just one of the cool items in the Roloc system (there are several). Best thing since sliced bread if you ask me!

Devon