Spackle Or Bondo?

Mrmac204

seems to be a matter of personal preference. Filling nail holes in trim - some GC's like spackle, some like bondo- I don't really have a preference, they both seem to work fine, other than the bondo is harder to sand. what do you guys use?

AtlanticWBConst

The main difference is that spackle tends to shrink more than bondo.

The spackle holes will be filled, but you will still see the 'indent' more.

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Teetorbilt

If you like Bondo, it's really easy to make your own that will sand better.

Buy a qt. of polyester resin and a spare can. Pour half into the spare can and seal. Get some glass filler (micro balloons or q-cells) forget the talc. Mix it to the consistancy that you want and kick it off with the Benzoyl Peroxide (Bondo cream hardener).

I buy a lot of stuff here. http://www.glueproducts.com/glueproducts.html

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Greg Di

Holy crap! It's Teetor's own version of "Mr. Wizard"!

Personally, I've been using Muralo (sp?) spackle I bought at paint store. Super easy to sand, no dents, and no hazmat license needed .

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hrscammisa

We always used bondo on are metal doors works great

Teetorbilt

Doug, I've been working with this stuff since building surfboards and raceboats as a kid. I still do some work for Lockheed Martin.

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woodmagman

This sounds like auto body 101....bondo....is that not a product used for fix minor inperfections in fenders. I can see using it on a surf board or something of that nature, but a catalyst product for nail holes would get you a NFW from me, sorry TEET. There is a light wieght filler by poly that works just fine and the painters we use swear by it.
Filling nail holes is a painters job NO.......?

Mrmac204

woodmagman -what's the name of that filler? I am looking for something that dries fast (1/2 hr?) and is easily sanded.

thanks

Mac.

p.s. what city are you in?

woodmagman

LePage Poly filler light. I am not the pro but I do like the results. It is best in the tube and we use it instead of latex chaulk when ever we can. Put it on, wipe it with a damp cloth and walk away, no need to sand nail holes or small lines between casing and drywall or on top of baseboards.
I still believe this is the painters job.....

dougchips

It is the painters job!

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Mrmac204

it may be the painters job, but I am bidding a crown/baseboard job, and I am the one and only employee so that means that I do the caulking and filling, cleaning, begging..
freedom aint glamorous, but its a rush

WNYcarpenter

We use Bondo for patching old hinges, strikes, sometimes large holes needed to be patched...I look at it like durabond or hotmud...it's a pain to sand, but it's solid, won't crack and can fill large voids because of it's curing time. I woudn't consider it a staple, but it works well in a pinch...such as misplaced hinge mortises.

Ben

I love using bondo for areas that otherwise would not be able to hold spackle or wood filler.

For example I had to install a door knob into a front door that needed the holes located in different areas, so I filled everything with bondo then sanded and re-drilled the holes where I needed them...

Try doing that with spackle....ha!

Spackle is much better for filling nail holes on walls it is quick and fast and doesn't smell and easier to clean up, I couldn't image using bondo ever for that....

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KentWhitten

Now I've heard of bondo in construction, but I thought it was 2 different things. One's auto and ours is wood bondo. Am I mistaken on this? I've never used it either way. I'm a bondo noob.

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Tom R

Good ole' water putty dries hard and fast and doesn't shrink, - - bondo is way overkill for nailholes, IMO . . .

Spackle shrinks way too much.

Ted W

Bondo to fill nail holes? Not if it's by the hour. If it's getting painted use a light weight spackle (not the heavy stuff!). Any good quality brand will do - red devil, muralo... if it starts to dry out as your working add just a few drops of water and mix it up.

Bondo is made for auto body work but very popular in home improvement as well. Min-Wax Wood Filler is the same as bondo, but wood color with white hardener.

If the wood is to be varnished, get the first coat of varnish on first so it (the filler) doesn't stain the wood, then fill the nail holes with your preferred filler of a matching color. I like wax sticks or non-drying filler. Sanding before the second coat of varnish will also remove any excess nail hole filler.

And yes, filling nail holes is typically the painter's/finisher's job.

I could write a book on the matter, but I don't like to show off.

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joeb

anybody use painters putty 53'

anthonyadam13

The smell of Bondo normally means someone made a booboo......

orson

As far as I can tell the only difference is in color and price.

www.rubycon.us
Ruby Construction LLC
Lancaster Kitchen Remodeling
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orson

Lightweight spackle for nailholes

Bondo for large holes and holes with profiles and corners, missing chunks etc.

Ready Patch for dents in metal, no mixing required.

www.rubycon.us
Ruby Construction LLC
Lancaster Kitchen Remodeling
Lancaster Bathroom Remodeling