Can bondo go bad?
 

I have a gallon of evercoat liteweight filler and I keep it in the house. Mixed up a batch tonight and it gets hot and starts to harden but I can still dig in it with my finger nail after 30-45 min. Third batch I mixed and the same thing for all batches. It is about 2 years old. But still nice and creamy.

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

2 years is really young filler. It tends to get impossible to stir when it's too old. The hardener is more likely to go bad first. It needs to be kneaded (no pun intended). If it was watery and rather unhealthy looking it's your culprit. Get new hardener and try again.

Or you simply undercatalyzed it...

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

That was the first thing I did was get a new tube of hardener. I also put the bondo on my paint shaker, helps make it more creamy. I am sure I am mixing enough hardener in with it, but it seems like that may be the issue. It starts to firm up in about 10 min, but just does not get hard.

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

Never put bondo on a paint shaker because it fills it with air bubbles causing pin holes. The manufacturing process goes thru great lengths to avoid mixing in air so paint shaker is not recommended at all.

Most folks under catalyze filler and on a rare occasion over catalyze it. They all require 2-3% which seems like too much when you see it. Put a blob of filler on your mixing board and then make 3/4 of hot cross bun icing pattern with the hardener and you'll be close.

Should be ready to sand in 30 minutes if your shop is 70 degrees.

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

YES it can go bad. And how old it is isn't the biggest factor, did it get any air is the biggest. If the lid isn't tight and proper it doesn't take long at all for it to dry out.

I have to tell you, I have a bunch of stuff at home, gallons of clear, bondo, paint, primer that I got when I was a paint rep. This is now a number of years ago and every time I go to grab one I think about it, toss it and buy new. It's just not worth it!

Brian

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

Lid was tight, it is still creamy, not thick. Stored in the house.

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

Hi Chris, I priced the evercoat body filler last year and it was about $20.00. If this is still true is it worth it to take a chance on it for $20.00? Your time and quality of the job at hand hangs in the balance. Body shops here are in the $65.00 per hour rate. So the first 1/2 hour you saved yourself working on your project justifies a fresh evercoat gallon of filler!!

I question myself all the time working on my house from hell, quality or cheaper choices and i still go the costlier route. I hate doing things twice, good luck!

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

I agree, just not happy about it. it is about 75% full and I hate tossing it. but your right

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

years ago an acquaintance over "hardnered" a large batch of plastic filler and 2 weeks later it was still soft. he had to dig it all out.

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

I'm curious if the new can turns out to be the same as the old one.
My bet is it will be if the same hardener and same amount used.

My career as a manufacturer's representative for a filler and finishing glaze manufacturer, I am not concerned about the age of the filler as long as it's still creamy and the resins have been mixed in. By far the biggest challenge with filler is the hardener. Sometimes it will sour and/or an incorrect amount is used. CG285 brings up a good pint that over catalyzation can also be detrimental although most folks will tend to unde catalyze..but not all.

OP ChrisMoore701 please post a picture of your next few batches showing the amount of hardener you have used before mixing it in as this will be very helpful in assisting you.

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

Will do, I just bought a new tube of hardner, so I know that is good. Will try to get out there tonight

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

Still does not seem to set up

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

When you sand it does it gum up your paper? I'm curious about your concern it's not set up. It won't be like concrete when set up and should be soft enough to fingernail scratch.

The amount of hardener looks a touch too much so id suggest cutting it back by about 1\3. Too much hardener can cause it to stay soft (among other negatives) but I'm not sure you've pushed it that far over its limit.

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

I'd say to much hardener,

Re: Can bondo go bad?
 

It starts to firm up in about 10 min, but just does not get hard. may need viagra!!! :lol::lol::lol::lol: sorry, couldn't resist