Thread: Fiberglass Enclosure Body filler with resin?

Body filler and resin, aka sludge, will make the shaping process easier but won't give the box any further structural integrity. All the strength is in the glass. Not even the resin,.. the resin is just the bonding agent.

If you want the smoothing process to be super easy, try to stretch the clothe over the frame in one piece, soak with resin, let it harden then add all layers of fiberglass on the inside. Keep adding layers till theres no flex at all when you push against a single point with your thumb. At most you might need a super light skim coat on top of the top layer to smooth it all out.

djvillar covered most of the topics (and correctly too!)... Though I've heard the filler/resin mix called sludge, I most often hear it called a milkshake.

hey there my enquiry is not based off of car repair but off prop making.. . i want to make some of this "sludge" or "milkshake" and im just wondering whether the resin and body filler need to be from the same brand or particular sorts? also are there any particular ratios? thankyou very much for any replies to this!

Originally Posted by loxton117

...just wondering whether the resin and body filler need to be from the same brand or particular sorts?

When I have used the milkshake method in the past, I have always been consistent with the same brands. I had the same question, and not knowing the answer I always played on the safe side.

Originally Posted by loxton117

also are there any particular ratios?!

No and yes. With bondo i would guess I have gone up to 1:5 making sure each part got the proper amount of hardener. Its up to your discretion as to how liquid or firm you want the "milkshake" to be.

Here is a Q&A from the Evercoat product site:

"Q. Can body filler be thinned?
A. Fillers may be thinned with Evercoat® Plastik Honey to alter the consistency. No more than 10% resin by weight should be added. They can also be thinned with Metal Glaze® or Easy Sand Finishing & Blending Putties. NOTE: Use of a Finishing & Blending Putty to thin a regular lightweight filler will NOT give stain resistant properties to the filler."

As a side note. I used the milkshake method when I used to use bondo, cause that stuff is like spreading butter straight from the fridge (it needed thinning). I love Evercoat and as evident from they're site, its possible to thin their product but I've never found my self in need of thinning it. It spreads like yogurt,.. silky. Find a supplier.

thanks... ok so for example? this is just for advice. how do i mix it, so it 3 or 4 to 1 filler to resin.. how much hardener do i add, and which hardener, the resin one or the filler one?

Originally Posted by loxton117

thanks... ok so for example? this is just for advice. how do i mix it, so it 3 or 4 to 1 filler to resin.. how much hardener do i add, and which hardener, the resin one or the filler one?

Both hardeners are needed. That's what I meant when I said to know how much of each part to use, because the resin needs resin hardener appropriate to the amount used, and the filler needs filler hardener appropriate to that amount used.

I would keep each separate, add the hardener to each then combine the two for your first couple of times.

thankyou very much! very much appreciated I'v been trying to find this info evey where but no one seems to want to say! so thank you again

actually just one more question :P just to clarify. say im mixing resin with hardener or filler with hardener how much do i add in, as in i mean the resin with hardener is something like 3 to 1 ratio, but what exactly does that mean. does that mean if i have 30 grams of resin i would add 10 grams of hardener? i may be wrong but im just trying to make sure i do it right?
if im wrong could you please give me an example?
thanks

Filler Hardener -> into Filler
Resin Hardener -> into Resin

Resin + Filler -> Mix

Hardener Amounts? Whatever % amount you're supposed to.