Bastardizing A Tank, advice?

[Guest]

so reading all these cafe projects has got me wanting to fix the dent in my tank with bondo and repaint it. I bought some bondo, automotive primer and paint (rattle cans) I got sand paper (finest they had was 1500)

so what next?

[UncleMike]

so reading all these cafe projects has got me wanting to fix the dent in my tank with bondo and repaint it. I bought some bondo, automotive primer and paint (rattle cans) I got sand paper (finest they had was 1500)

so what next?

Now all you gotta do is fix it!

[beergood]

Sand and clean the area of the dent.

It's a lot easier to work with smaller thin layers of bondo, and let it set well before sanding. Keep applying layers till you get it right.

After you have the basic shape right and fairly smooth, go over it with bondo glazing putty. I can't stress this enough. This step goes a long way to getting a pro looking result.

Then prime and paint.

[beergood]

Oh yeah, don't be afraid to screw up. Bondo sands off pretty easier, so you can always get back to a blank canvas.

[chinto]

use a much courser grit to sand the dent before applying the bondo. A course grit will allow for a better surface for the filler to bond to. Use the 1500 for finishing.

[BentRod]

I got 180, 320, 800 and 1500 grit.... sound ok?

I'm going to give this a shot, just becaue I'm curious to see if i can do it...
if it fails, I'm going to tremclad it brown and leave it until i can find someone to do it properly on the cheep

[snark]

Don't forget the Glazing Compound to finish the job. Its easier to work with when you're filling sanding marks, etc.

[beergood]

honestly, the hardest part is the patience it takes to get the shape right. If you aren't in a hurry you will be fine.

[oldschoolorange]

Just take your time with it, Like some of the other guys said use thin coats and then finish it off with glazing putty. if you only have some small dings in the tank you could try filling it with water and then pressurizing it to see if they will pop out

[BentRod]

hmm,.. the ding is small but mighty, and rather sharp.. it probably wont. more likely to rupture.

oh well.. I gotta strip and sand first.. and that wont be until after some midterms...

I'm very hesitant on this, I have never done this before. and my buddy has just given me the rattle can of brown... friends eh?

[Mike_H]

make sure you mix enough hardener in. I have been having a couple problems with this, as its kind of a feel thing, the mixing directions on the package leave a little to be desired. Anyway, if you don't have enough hardener, the bondo will ball up on your sandpaper, and get you so frustrated, you'll swear you'll never do it again. It'll chew up paper too... Also don't mix more than you can use in 5-10 min. If you've got enough hardener, it'll set in that amount of time..

Oh yeah, don't play with it too much once its on the surface. you'll just make a mess.

I'm still learning how to bondo, the hard way.

[beergood]

Think of this as your virginity (hopefully you have lost that, if not, then this analogy won't make any sense.). It seems like a crazy big deal till you have done it. Once you cross that bridge you won't worry about the attempt, just how to get better.

[tfb]

honestly, the hardest part is the patience it takes to get the shape right. If you aren't in a hurry you will be fine

Sage advice indeed.

[jonesti]

make sure you mix enough hardener in. I have been having a couple problems with this, as its kind of a feel thing, the mixing directions on the package leave a little to be desired. Anyway, if you don't have enough hardener, the bondo will ball up on your sandpaper,

The actual Bondo brand body filler is notorious for doing this. A quality filler, such as Evercoat, sands and levels so much better you will kick yourself for not using it in the first place.

Don't sweat doing this. Like has been said, you can just sand it off if ya goof up!

[Road_Clam]

Bastardizing A Tank, advice?

I never heard this term.
Why are you swearing at your fuel tank? Is the dent not cooperating?