Sandpaper, why you clog?
- Thread starter jonusx
- Start date
Flash Dixon
Active Member
You might try using a rasp on areas that need to be taken down a lot. I'm curious if you still might not be adding enough catalyst to the base. Or maybe it's the brand of bondo itself. Generally speaking, it shouldn't clog it up too much. But my thought is that even though the bondo is dry and hard, inherently, it's still too soft for some reason.
MaulWalker
Sr Member
It could also be the sandpaper you are using. The cheapest sandpaper tends to clog and wear out quickly.
Lynn
Lynn
Try wet sanding, it keeps the particles from clogging up the grit.
Thanks for the help! I'll try wet sanding. I use a metal file for the bulky stuff. I use enough hardener so that the bondo is pink. What is some quality sandpaper? I've been using a mouse sander and the black and decker paper that comes with it. I've also tried a couple other brands that work with the mouse.
brickcorps723
New Member
If you are looking for a non clog I would try Wedatory sand paper.
Tigerblood
Well-Known Member
nope it's not the sand paper. I buy cheap sandpaper from Harbor Freight and it lasts for awhile. It's the Bondo brand filler. Another reason I'll spend the extra money for Evercoat or USC products.
Blaxmyth
Sr Member
You can get sandpaper formulated to clog less. Here is New Zealand it's called No-Fil or similar.
The other tip with sanding bondo is to use very light pressure and keep the paper moving fast. I find that when I press too hard it clogs quickly. Skimming the paper across the surface works best.
Regards.
The other tip with sanding bondo is to use very light pressure and keep the paper moving fast. I find that when I press too hard it clogs quickly. Skimming the paper across the surface works best.
Regards.
I picked up some Bondo professional gold, does that work better? Where can you get evercoat?
Recognizer
New Member
Supposedly the gold is a little better, but IMO, still not good enough to be worth so much extra cost. I found a local place that sells Z-Grip (~$30 a gallon - I bought this, and it's definitely much easier to work with and sand cleanly) and Rage Gold(~$50 a gallon) in an area where there are a lot of dealerships and body shops, but some Car Quest locations supposedly sell Evercoat and Rage, too. FYI, I haven't been able to find anything but bondo products at any of the Autozones or Advance Auto Parts stores or hardware stores in my area.
I wouldn't even know where to look! I've checked wal-mart and autozone. Are there any other big name places that may have the good stuff?
Tigerblood
Well-Known Member
look for an automotive paint supply store.
Johnny Fever
Well-Known Member
I have found that if you use regular Bondo you can use all methods listed above from rasps, files and graters. You can then use heavy grit “wet” sandpaper and work your way down to finer grits. To keep the wet paper from clogging, add a few drops of dish soap (Dawn/Palmolive) to the mix. It helps prolong the life of the sandpaper and makes sanding a little more efficient.
-John
-John
Weaselhammer
Sr Member
I use 3M brand "sandblaster" sandpaper. I lasts a lot longer than cheap paper and clogs a lot less
Mean Obiwan
Well-Known Member
I had the same problem when trying to sand bondo. I think my grain was a bit too rough though, so there was plenty of space to be clogged. A finer grain might do you some good. It did with me anyway.
I appreciate all the advice! I'll pick up some stuff this weekend. Here's my progress so far: https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A2532ODWCKrqL;3BCB9473-78D3-4AB3-BBCB-D06EA3E43821
Lord Magneto
Sr Member
I get the same issue... i actually use a Grill cleaning brush that has soft metal teeth to remove the clogged bondo.
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