I got a new hood for my 86 pickup and had to do alittle body work to it. I worked the metal back to shape the best I could then used a thin coat of bondo. I sanded it down and found that there were little pits in the bondo. How can I fix that?? Im not a paint and body person but doing the best I can.

 

Here are the pics. Hard to see but it's driving me nuts

 

Sometimes that can happen when your working time is on the finish side of it time. Also it might just need to be filled higher and sanded down smooth. I had to do 3 applications when I smoothed out a door on a suburban. This is all based on limited experience. Hopefully a bodywork guy on here will chime in.

Edit. Also make sure you get it really clean between coats.

 

coming from a body man, these are called pin holes. They are likely due to adding too much hardener and/or improper mixing which allows air bubbles to enter your filler before you apply it. Follow the instructions on the can PERFECTLY. Filler is very fussy stuff.

The majority of fillers require 2% hardener by weight. Read that last sentance again. That is not very much. Over hardening your filler is the #1 cause for problems with it. Go out and buy a cheap scale and weigh it out. It may suprise you how little is required.

Rules of filler:
-never apply it over paint
-always squeeze your first coat on really thin to fill all the scratches
-2% hardener (unless the can says other wise)
-never more than "1/4 thick

if you have to fill more than "1/4 your first coat should be a fiberglass filler. It has much more strength and flexability then your average polyester filler and is designed for such filling jobs. Its also waterproof so if there are holes in your weld or sheet metal it won't absorb water.

 

heh, should have looked at your pictures before I posted, you sir have not used enough filler. Thats where the majority of those pits are coming from. For good measure, call that your practice run, sand/grind it all out and start over. Too many layers of filler and theres more chances for a failure.

 

Good post thanks

 

I thought it was air bubbles. Wasn't sure. Thanks. By not enough filler so you mean the mix of filler to hardener?

 

I think he meant it needs another coat. At least that's what I thought when I saw it. If you put a straight edge across you may see divots to confirm. Bondo also makes a spot putty that's one-part. It may be of use after you do another coat (3rd coat)

 

I would follow the advice suggested above. If u end up with pinholes when u do get enuf body filler applies and sanded down then u can use glazing putty to fill those in. It is only meant for minor imperfections and I mean minor. It goes on smooth and sands fairly easily. Hope this helps.