Well I went all wild with bondo and made a turbine much like Defyants. But now my question is, is it possible to get a mirror like finish on bondo like in this guide:
http://case-mods.linear1.org/case-mo...r-case-part-1/

Btw, I don't have acces to finishing putty so sanding raw bondo is all I'm limited too .

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyph3r Well I went all wild with bondo and made a turbine much like Defyants. But now my question is, is it possible to get a mirror like finish on bondo like in this guide: http://case-mods.linear1.org/case-mo...r-case-part-1/ Btw, I don't have acces to finishing putty so sanding raw bondo is all I'm limited too .

Welcome to PC APEX

Make raw bondo shine like a mirror? No , not possible.
Smooth as glass? Yes, if you sand it good enough with a fine grit sandpaper.
Bondo should be primed and sanded smooth before painted.
Finishing putty is for filling minor imperfections.
Primer is for filling minor (fine) scratches and helps seal the bondo.

yes you can make bondo shiny like a mirror, but you have to prime it at the least, and if you really read that guide you should have no probelm ever with painting, you just need practice,

I use 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, and *2500 (*but most usually dont) in that order with a good 10-30 mins with each, wetsanding helps alot when you get into the higher grits like over 1000 use water and not even a drop of dishsoap and dip the sandpaper in it and sand away, you souldnt get suds if you added just the right amount of soap

but read that guide and part 2 and you should know what you need to do

As long as its smooth, it should be shiny, as long as I follow the guide correctly. Yeh?

I haven't actually done any of that guide on my bondo yet.

And do I HAVE to use dish soap? I prefer not to use it.

Thanks for the reply.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyph3r As long as its smooth, it should be shiny, as long as I follow the guide correctly. Yeh? I haven't actually done any of that guide on my bondo yet. And do I HAVE to use dish soap? I prefer not to use it. Thanks for the reply.

First and foremost:
WELCOME TO PCA!
As long as you prep it correctly (sand the bondo with 320-350, then prime, wetsand with 400, prime, wet sand with 400 until there are no "pits", then colour coat and clear/rub out) - you'll be fine

That was the first painting guide I read and if I can do it, it can't be that tough

There's also a great (more detailed) guide here: http://forums.pcapex.com/painting/35..._painting.html

As far as the soap goes, you only need a couple of drops (some people like using other products like Simple Green instead) - it will help the paper slide better and prevent primer and paint from clogging up parts of the paper - you can go without it, but you'll need to make sure that there is a lot more water.

Post some pics of your progress!!
Good luck dude

WOW... people are soo kind here.

Thanks Marc and Master P for welcoming me here.
(<\3 to s1ugh34d for not.. jk )

I'm confused to which advice I should follow. :S
I Am tempted to follow MasterP's guide, as its much easier but Master you didn't mention that this will lead to a mirror shine, so perhaps you didn't notice that I wanted a mirror finish.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyph3r I Am tempted to follow MasterP's guide, as its much easier but Master you didn't mention that this will lead to a mirror shine, so perhaps you didn't notice that I wanted a mirror finish.

Are you saying you want a mirror finish on the bondo or the painted finished product?
30+ years in paint and body shops, I've never seen bondo shine.
But prepped right, painted, and polished, You can achive a mirror finish.

Well I'm saying I want bondo, prepped, painted and polished correctly of course to shine like a mirror, the only thing I don't have is finishing putty.

That IS possible right? I'm hoping you meant absolutely raw unpainted bondo to shine like a mirror.

Yes, it is possible. Just bondo, sand, primer, sand, paint, and then sand some more. Just follow some of the excellent guides here, and we can give you some pointers along the way.

Oh, and welcome to PCA! Glad to have ya.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyph3r Well I'm saying I want bondo, prepped, painted and polished correctly of course to shine like a mirror, the only thing I don't have is finishing putty. That IS possible right?

Yes that's deffinately possible. I didn't read the guide MasterP posted, but I'm sure it's full of good info.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyph3r I'm hoping you meant absolutely raw unpainted bondo to shine like a mirror.

LOL......The way the question was put, that's what I was getting out of it. Sorry.

lol.. my bad.. I meant raw as in no finishing putty.

Thanks Snowman and Marc.

the shine is all in the clear coat my friend the wetsand and buff of the clear coat is where all the bondo, sanding, anger, throwing, bending, breaking, primer, lost finger prints and dedication pays off. it really is fullfilling to see yourself in a piece you've just finished buffing, as my teacher used to say "if you don't get wood by looking at that, you are in the wrong place and need to leave"