Dumb Body Work Question

[MrHavard]

I don't know a lot about bodywork so please bare with me. I've noticed a lot of cars lately where people are using bondo to smooth over rust holes. Is this a good way of fixing the problem? I can see how its a hell of a lot easier than welding in a patch panel, but doesn't bondoing over rust have its own set of problems? Is it even worth it to ever bondo over a hole??

[Slag Kustom]

it is only worth mudding up a rot hole if you are butching out the car to sell to some dumb aass on ebay nd you never have to see it again when it falls apart

[Unkl Ian]

If you want it to look decent for more than a couple months,No.


It's a big time hacker shortcut.

[MrHavard]

Thanks for answering my question. I had seen this picture online and I knew it just didn't seem right. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/aggrothedog/rust.jpg

[19Fordy]

Don't even think about the COST of getting that rusty drip rail etc repaired- unless it's Duesenburg or other very high dollar car. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[lownslow]

NOT that it would ever work anyway but , look they didn't even sand the paint or grind the rusted metal.....what the hell the bondo supposed to stick to????????????????

[MrHavard]

Thanks for the reply lownslow. what would you do for something like that? remove the drip rail and patch?

[ABone312]

Bondo absorbs moisture. When put over a hole, the water soaks in and rusts the metal under the filler. Eventually, the filler pops out and you have an even bigger hole. If you want to shave the drip rail, cut it off, weld in metal to patch the holes, and weld up the seam where the drip rail used to be.

[lownslow]

A Bone312 has got it right ..........alot of work BUT it can be done .....

[happy hoppy]

I fixed a 55 chevy sedan delivery with rust very similar to that pic. rain gutter was gone in a 4" spot, only rust on the roof was this one spot.
I got a piece of roof from another 55 chevy top , rain gutter and all, and did a cut and paste.
you have to paint the back side your work after you weld it to keep it from rusting all over again.

[willowbilly3]

Remember old cars tend to rust from the inside out/ When thi first rust bubble onder the paint shows up the metal behind it is already gone. The roof in theat picture is gone and needs to be cut out (off) and replaced.

[DrJ]

That looks like a Dodge truck...
They were DESIGNED to rust out a month after the waranty expired. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

They have a spot welded seam there with the lips turned inside and an inner steel "headliner" so you aren't aware that the body caulking that was put in the seam to hopefully keep it together for 61 months, had cracked out and was letting rain water get forced in the seam at freeway speed.
Best remedy is Roadster Ram Pickup! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I had a friend bring one to me to put a different top on and the one he wanted me to put on it was almost as rusty as the one on it already...They all rust! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Fatstang]

Confucius says “Man who bondos over rust, must learn not to slam doors”

[MrHavard]

its a 58 half ton Ford
What about fiberglassing over holes? I've worked with an older buddy of mine before whos "been doing this for years" He doesn't like to pay for someone to weld things for him so he just uses fiberglass over holes, would this have the same basic problems as bondo?

[JOECOOL]

Aside from the not sticking very well ,the main problem as I see it is the expansion rate between bondo .fiberglass and metal is totally different. It just rips itself loose when the weather goes from 10 below zero in Feb. to 104 in July.Just my opinion!

[Smokin Joe]

When in doubt, run a test patch...
Find the guy who did that and fill his ass crack with bondo.
If it's still holding his ass together a year from now, go ahead and do it that way. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Use the FORCE Luke...
You knew it was crap before you asked, didn't you...
Trust instincts you must. Protect you they will...

[MrHavard]

Thanks for all your answers everyone... I knew it was crap but I didn't know why it was wrong.

[Smokin Joe]

Saw a camaro once with widened rear wheel wells.
The guy had cut out a square around the wheelwells, used 4 screws to hold the replacement wheelwells in place, DUCT taped the seam, then bondoed over it all!