plastic vs. spring steel spreaders

[slipchuck]

which filler spreader do you prefer and why?

also, I am still having a hang of a time getting the hardener to mix completely with the filler. could someone please help me get this straightend out?
I do know stiring isn't the way, I tried "folding" like someone suggested on this board and I am still having problems......
ANY help appreciated

thanks

ps. thank you to all for the b-day wishes


cheers

randy

[Len]

I tried the steel spreaders but couldn't get accustom to them so I work with the plastic ones. However, I know several bodymen that work with the steel ones.

When I mix my hardener into my filler I start by going back and forth with the putty knife to spread the hardener across the top of the filler a little. I then slide the putty knife under a part of the filler and fold it onto the top then stir it in and I continue doing this until it's fully mixed.

[doug]

I use the plastic spreaders. I didn't know steel ones existed, I'll bet they clean a lot easier than the plastic ones. I always end up with partially hardened chunks of filler on my spreader, really gooey and hard to clean off. Is there a trick?

[slipchuck]

I use the plastic spreaders. I didn't know steel ones existed, I'll bet they clean a lot easier than the plastic ones. I always end up with partially hardened chunks of filler on my spreader, really gooey and hard to clean off. Is there a trick?

I am not sure if I am doing it right, but I use a plastic scraper and scrap the filler off my spreader before it hardenes.
I also use a different spreader to take the filler out of the can so I don't put hardener in the unused filler.

Like I said I don't know if this is the best way, but I haven't figured out a better way yet.

good luck

randy

[Len]

I have a pint mixing cup about half full of thinner, on my bench. With a paper towel I wipe off the soft filler from the spreader then dip it into the thinner and wipe the residue with a clean paper towel. I clean the putty knife at the same time. I don't allow the filler to get hard on any of the tools.

[ZRX61]

I only use the steel version. I do have some plastic ones, but probably haven't used them in the past 5 years.

[slipchuck]

I have a pint mixing cup about half full of thinner, on my bench. With a paper towel I wipe off the soft filler from the spreader then dip it into the thinner and wipe the residue with a clean paper towel. I clean the putty knife at the same time. I don't allow the filler to get hard on any of the tools.
thank you very much, Len.
this sounds a lot better then what I am doing :)
I will be trying this ASAP

randy

[isprayum]

I always end up with partially hardened chunks of filler on my spreader, really gooey and hard to clean off. Is there a trick?

as soon as im done spreading, i give it a shot of wax/grease remover and wipe clean with a rag. dont let it get rock hard.

[dcrog]

I use my ketchup bottle of thinner and squirt a little on a rag. Lay the spreader on the rag and wipe clean.

[dilling]

i use a new one each time , labor rate so high at shop it cost more too clean them then get a new one I think they cost us 11 cents

[doug]

With a paper towel I wipe off the soft filler

That's the difficult part! Mine doesn't want to wipe off. I always thought I was making it easy on myself to let the filler harden so I could peel it off in one piece. Guess I'll try cleaning it while I wait on the filler to kick.

dilling, please tell me where to get plastic spreaders for 11 cents? I always see posts that mention paint shops give them out for free, but my shop doesn't seem to participate. Paint sticks and filters yes, but not spreaders.

[tom]

I use wooden tongue depressor sticks to scoop the filler out of the can and to mix it up on the palette. I spurt the hardener on top of the pile of filler and use the wood tongue depressor stick to spread the hardener around a little. Then I stir it slowly. Then I use the edge of the wooden stick to sort of squeegee the mixture into a tall pile, drawing the unmixed stuff off the bottom up into the rest of it, and then stir it up again. Then repeat that a few times until it's all totally the same color. If you stir it slowly, it doesn't seem to get air in it. Then toss the stick in the garbage. The better quality fillers are more creamy and not clumpy and easier to stir up. If you're having a lot of problems, you might want to switch to a better brand of filler.

I know lots of guys use the spreader to scoop the filler out of the can, but that seems like a bad idea to me because then you might wind up with some unmixed filler on the spreader that won't harden right if it doesn't mix in all the way with the rest of the filler. By using a tongue depresser to do the mixing first, you know that what touches the spreader is thoroughly mixed filler.

I wipe the filler off the spreader pretty quickly after spreading it using a paper towel. If you wait just a little bit until it's about like cheddar cheese, it comes off in soft clumps without a big mess. If it's too creamy still it gets all over your hands. If some doesn't wipe off easily, hold the spreader flat on a table and use a wadded up paper towel to scrub it off. The heat of the scrubbing action somehow softens it up to where you can eventually get it to rub clean. If it gets all the way hard, chuck it and get a new spreader. The newer high quality fillers stick pretty well even to the smooth plastic of the spreader. If you get nicks or gouges in the spreader, chuck it because it'll just leave more work for you filling in the grooves left by the jagged spreader.

I always use the plastic spreaders, because it's easy to flex them to match the curve of the body panel, since I mostly work on older cars with lots of curves everywhere.

I use a tear-off sheet palette. I can usually mix two or three small batches of filler on each sheet of the palette, and there's 100 sheets on it, so it lasts a long time. The plastic lids off coffee cans or Nestle's Quick cans work pretty well as a palette too if you just have a small job.

Good luck,

Tom

[dave_demented]

i have whats basially a sharp plastic putty kinfe for taking the filler out of the car, and i use a regular plastic one for mixing, the size depending on the size of the batch. i mix it on one of those white plastic mixing boards, and use some thinner to clean up everything, the filler will come right off of the smooth plastic spreader very easily right when it turns kinda rubbery, just peels right off. jsut ogtta make sur eyou dont wait a little too long, then your kinda screwed and need some new spreaders....

[dixie1776]

They both have their place, i use the steel ones for poly glaze, and the plastic for just bout everything else.As far as cleaning them i just wipe them with a wet rag of wax &grease remover while still workable. You can get more pressure to the surface with the steel ones.

[MARTINSR]

I'm with Dave, I do it exactly the same way but on an aluminum board. I REALLY think the two tool method for mixing with the metal putty knife and plastic spreader is the best for a few reasons. One, you can "Press" the filler mixture as you mix it instead of "whipping" it with a mixing stick or something. You PRESS the hardener through the filler THOROUGHLY mixing it very easily.

Then after spreading the filler out (again, using pressure to fill all pin holes and scratches on the first "coat", then coming back with a little more for fill if needed) and using a red scuff pad and lacquer thinner to remove all the filler and a shop rag to dry it off nice and clean.

It only takes seconds to clean it this way, literally seconds, and it is shiney, waiting for the next use.

I treat those mixing and spreading tools with a lot of respect. I have some 180 grit sand paper stuck on a metal beam by my stall to "true" the metal putty knife in case it gets a nick which it will now and then. I used to true the plastic spreaders on the sand paper as well. But then I learned (here on this forum as I remember) to use cardboard instead. That's right, cardboard! Just rub the edge "into" cardboard like you are trying to "shave" off the top of the board with the spreader. It will true the edge and leave it smoooooooth with no fuzzies like sand paper will.

Oh yeah, and on the debate of metal vs plastic spreaders... plastic all the way for me, it flexes into the shape of the panel. And I just learned about the most awsome tool for this. I tried the squeegee on primer by Sherwin Williams (thread in general discussion forum) and that squeegee that came with it is THE spreader for polyester putty skim coats. HOLY COW, it has a very fine, very soft edge and you can lay out that poly putty almost like it was sprayed out of a gun!

I believe the SW part number is RS3X3 for the three inch one and RS5x275 for a five by two and three quarter size. I just ordered them from my SW store rep and hope to have the larger one soon being the squeegee kit came with the smaller one and it is just too small for most uses.

Brian

[88GT]

Ive tried steel spreaders....once. Never again.
I use a paint stir stick to get the filler out of the can and a spreader to mix and apply. I used to use 2 putty knives to mix. One to mix, the other to scrape the mixing putty knife clean. A also used to use thinner to clean up. Anymore I scrape the remaining filler onto the plasit spreader and let it harden. Then break it of and clean it. Just seems to work better for me.
Good advice on the gouged spreaders. They cause more work. That happens mainly by scraping it along the mixing board that isnt smooth.
I use plexiglass for a mixing board. Cheap or even free at lowes, home depot etc.

[dilling]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-AUTO-BODY-FILLER-BONDO-SPREADER-PLASTIC-100-PIECES_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63702QQihZ004QQi temZ140070511995QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Mooch]

Plastic for spreading filler for me. And I use the clean sheets that Len sells for mixing. No board to clean just rip off the sheet and like Magic theres a clean one ready to go. Mixing the filler I like to use wood.

mooch :D

[SHOWCAR FINISH]

I never apply with the same one I'm mixing with. I always find there will always be unmixed portions on the upper end of the spreader. I flip it over and use a figure 8 pattern when mixing.. It seems to mix it pretty good with no trapped air. I mix on onion paper and find it an easy clean up. I too clean my spreaders when the coat is hardening. Once it hardens, it's not worth even trying to mess with.

[Phil V]

I have mixed at least several hundred gallons of filler and I prefer the 4" plastic squeegee. My mixing board is a piece of sheet metal about 10" X 16" and I mix the hardener into the mud with my 4" squeegee. I keep folding the filler back into itself. Never had an real pinhole problems and the filler mixes fine. I do use a paint stick to get the filler out of the can and onto my mixing board. When I'm done applying the filler I use the squeegee to get all the excess filler off the board and into the garbage can. then a paper towel to wipe off most of the filler left on the squeegee. Next comes a paper towel with a little thinner added to it which cleans up the squeegee like new. Then I get out my single edged razor blade scraper and clean the bonbo board. That way everything is ready for the next time I need to mix filler.

[pane2k]

Alot of you guys keep saying i use paint sticks to remove the plastic from the can.. Im suprised more of you arent using the 3 gallon buckets of filler that go in the dispenser.
Whats nice about them is you just put your cardboard or sheetmetal under the nozzle...open the nozle.. Pull down the lever a little..and close the nozel when you have the desired amount. Its nice and clean.. You lose less filler (whatever you would normally leave on the stick) Whats also nice about it is...it always stays sealed and is always nice and fresh. Sometimes with the gallon you may be in a rush and forget to put the cap on..makes the plastic stale.
I personally use plastic spreaders and have never tried a metal one. For cleanup i just wipe the spreader off with a rag and have never had a problem :) If i miss a spot and cant get it off my hand i'll DA it with some 220 but that normally doesnt happen

[AutobodyCAD]

If i miss a spot and cant get it off my hand i'll DA it with some 220 but that normally doesnt happenI'm tough - I use 80 grit. Or 40 when I'm feelin' my oats. ARRRRGGHH!!!!

[Chris L]

I mix the bulk of filler with free paint sticks supplied from my jobber,then finish mixing with the spreader,folding it etc..I use plastic once,i think i used 3 spreaders last year,i just wipe off the excess and clean them with laquer like Len suggested.

[pane2k]

I'm tough - I use 80 grit. Or 40 when I'm feelin' my oats. ARRRRGGHH!!!!


haha i meant if i cant get it off by hand with a rag.

[SouthernMudSlinger]

I've always used metal spreaders. They are stiff so you can really move the filler around. After it starts to set up a little, I use a razor blade and scrape it off in one pass and its clean again.