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tank dents

ron bayless

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
Just got my 81 850 g recently and I have lots to do before its running right, but then i have what i think will be a cool paint job for it.realize I am a geezer, and ride geezer glides.Doesnt matter that the bike has 78 hp and will topend at 124, at least when it was new, its still a comfortable bike with upright handlebars and plush suzuki seat.My paint job plans kind of go against what I just said,but anyhow, heres the problem.The tank has a few ripply dents on the left side ,not the top.Do you all pull them out someway or just bondo? I have seen car guys weld little rods onto car dents and pull them out, but these are small dents,nothing so severe as needing a puller.All input appreciated.Curious about the paint job? Well google 1966 tempest sprint.My brand new one was gold with a black racing stripe.Thats the plan.
 
If you have dents that are too small to pull out and/or going to fill and fair them in, if you want the repair to last, avoid Bondo at all costs. Bondo attracts water and is guaranteed to cause rust, bubbles and delamination of the the repaired area. Use a epoxy filler. Bondo is a polyester filler and porous, hence the rust problem. for really small repairs, I use JB weld which is epoxy. For larger repair, go to a marine supply store and get a can of epoxy fairing compound. The "kit" consists of one can of base(filler) and one can of catalyst. Marine Tex is one fairing compound that can be bought in small to very large sizes. It is epoxy.
 
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If you have dents that are too small to pull out and/or going to fill and fair them in, if you want the repair to last, avoid Bondo at all costs. Bondo attracts water and is guaranteed to cause rust, bubbles and delamination of the the repaired area. Use a epoxy filler. Bondo is a polyester filler and porous, hence the rust problem. for really small repairs, I use JB weld which is epoxy. For larger repair, go to a marine supply store and get a can of epoxy fairing compound. The "kit" consists of one can of base(filler) and one can of catalyst.

Thank you.I never heard of that.Thanks.
 
Thank you.I never heard of that.Thanks.

Stay as far away from Bondo as you can get. Another problem with Bondo is that the catalyst for it is oily and it reacts badly to any alcohol or water based paint. Most plastic paints and automotive paints are alcohol based, and Bondo causes fish eyes, sagging and holes in the paint surface when the paint layer and primer will simply not link up and seal over the microscopic oil imperfection.
 
Bondo..brand..body filler, specifically, is crap. But, there are some great plastic fillers available. Evercoat makes a product called "Rage". It's available at any quality auto paint store. I've used it for years and it's easy to work, leaves absolutely no pin holes, and doesn't shrink at all. ;) This would be a great product for the small amount of filling you need to do.
 
Bondo..brand..body filler, specifically, is crap. But, there are some great plastic fillers available. Evercoat makes a product called "Rage". It's available at any quality auto paint store. I've used it for years and it's easy to work, leaves absolutely no pin holes, and doesn't shrink at all. ;) This would be a great product for the small amount of filling you need to do.

Is it a polyester compound? Every polyester based compound I tried in 30 years of marine repair attracted and held water. Water retention and steel is a bad combination. Another excellent filler is VC Watertight.
 
Can't say with certainty if it's polyester based, but I would think an auto body and a marine application are two different animals. Rage is used by some of the world's top builders and restorers, and with my own experience, works great. I've never had problems with adhesion or moisture contamination what-so-ever. Do the body work, get it primered and you're good to go.
 
Pretty sure most all body putties are polyester based. It's the industry standard.

I used Bondo Ultimate body filler on my last few products and like it. No issues. http://bondo.com/products/automotive/body-filler/bondo-ultimate-filler-1022.html

For smaller spots I use a catalyzed spot putty.

I read your newbie mistakes.One guy said spend a lot of money on a junker then unload it on someone else. I remember when i first joined here in 2005.I had a gs 1000L that had a gasket oil leak.It was the rectangular rubber one.This required tearing the engine down, to the cylinder base and through many trials and errors I got it fixed and running well. This group was like family.Constant encouragement, support. I got it done and was proud for what I learned and it made me want the bike I now have.I do believe I remember your screen name from way back then.I do believe you were one of the supporters I had.This has nothing to do with bondo. I just never got to say thank you.So, thank you.
 
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