Catchfence

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bristol race weekend is always known for great racing action – and lots of dents and dings. This makes it the busiest weekend for dent repair, and the teams are ready with gallons and gallons of Bondo Putty and Body Filler, part of the 3M automotive products family.

In fact, an estimated 215 gallons of Bondo Body Filler will be used by the NASCAR Sprint Cup teams this coming weekend. On average, each team consumes 126 gallons a year, totaling more than 5,418 gallons of the body filler used for repairing dents and ensuring sheet metal panels fit the tight NASCAR templates.

For the No. 16 3M team, the body filler is a lifesaver that save times and money at the track.

“Racing at Bristol always means a lot of dents, so body filler from Bondo is a great solution,” says Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion. “If I brush the wall in practice, we can repair the damage quickly without having to replace the body panel. And, if our sheet metal doesn’t quite fit the NASCAR templates, we use body filler to fill out the area.”

Biffle also spends a great deal of time working on his own classic cars, and uses a lot of Bondo Body Filler repairing older car bodies. Whether restoring classics or just fixing dents on a current car, he offers simple, economical tips to help car owners do their own dent repair.

1. Clean the vehicle with soap and water, followed by a solvent cleaner. 3M’s Adhesive Remover is a great product for this step. This is important as any contaminants (wax, bug residue, tar, dirt) remaining when sanding begins are ground into the surface and could compromise the adhesion of repair materials.

2. When repairing any dent it is best to remove as much of the dent as possible prior to filling with body filler. An assortment of slide hammers, hammers, dollies and picks may be needed to perform this step. Always use appropriate eye and respiratory protection. For additional details on how to do this step, see www.3MCarCare.com.

3. After the dent is roughly removed it is time to start sanding. Use a sanding block or DA orbital sander 40-80 grit abrasive to remove all paint to approximately 2″ around the dent.

4. Using proper techniques, mix Bondo Body Filler and apply to the dent in thin layers. The first layer should be applied with firm pressure to ensure good adhesion. Avoid over-application of filler as this just requires additional sanding. Let dry for 15 to 20 minutes, dependent on temperature and humidity.

5. Select a sanding block that is appropriate for the size of the repair and attach a 3M 40 grit abrasive sheet. Rough shape/sand the repair area. ALWAYS keep your block flat to the surface. The 40 grit is used to remove material fast and rough shape the repair. Avoid over-sanding with 40 grit or the finished repair area will be low. If low spots are detected, it may be necessary to apply more Bondo Body Filler and repeat this sanding step.

6. Once satisfied with the rough shape of the repair, attach an 80 grit abrasive sheet to the sanding block and final shape the repair. After this step, the repair should be level and there should be no 40 grit scratches remaining. The body filler should also have a smooth featheredge all around the repair.

7. Attach a 180 grit abrasive to the sanding block to featheredge the paint away from the body filler and remove all straight line scratches.

8. Mix Bondo Glazing and Spot Putty and apply to the entire repair area overlapping the body filler and paint feather-edge. Allow 15 minutes to dry, depending on the termperature and humidity.

9. Apply a 180 grit abrasive to the sanding block and sand the repair area until level. Remember to keep the block flat to the surface at all times and do not oversand.

10. Apply a 320 abrasive grit to your sanding block and remove all straight line scratches from the paint around the filler area. Once complete the repair is ready for the application of primer surfacer and topcoats. It’s very important to follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for your specific brand of primer or paint.

For video tips of the body repair processes using Bondo and 3M products, visit www.3MCarCare.com. Bondo products and the 3M Car Care product line can be found at leading automotive aftermarket retailers and online at www.Shop3M.com. For more information on 3M Car Care and Bondo products, visit www.3MCarCare.com.

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $25 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com.

- 3M Public Relations, Press Release