Waterproof filler?
Discussion
Just to use on car bodywork and so on, to tidy up panels before paint and after repair welds...
Basically I have heard that normal filler actually attracts moisture because of the talc content and I that there are types that are better. The fibreglass type is better and stronger but much harder to shape, I know some people have used this as a base filler to form a barrier against the metal and then used normal filler on top to finish it off. But apparently there are fillers that do not attract moisture, that is what I am after..
Basically I have heard that normal filler actually attracts moisture because of the talc content and I that there are types that are better. The fibreglass type is better and stronger but much harder to shape, I know some people have used this as a base filler to form a barrier against the metal and then used normal filler on top to finish it off. But apparently there are fillers that do not attract moisture, that is what I am after..
I have never come across waterproof filler as such. The only thing you can do is apply it when it isnt damp or cold. And prime and paint as soon as possible taking care if you wet sand the primer that you dont rub through the primer and get the filler wet. Making sure the primer is bone dry before painting as if it is a bit damp the only place it will go is between the filler and primer and start bubbling up.
Although this is a link from the 3M .com site, I'm sure that there is a Europe/UK equivalent product:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine...
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine...
SV8Predator said:
Really?
Have you actually ever done this? Wet-sanded with panel wipe?
Over whole, large panels?
I don't think so!
I certainly have! I've done many repairs, panels and complete shells with it. You use surprisingly little when you're being relatively careful. I use about 2.5ltrs doing a complete shell. Oh, and don't wear latex gloves - they just shrivel up. Nitrile are fine though. No reaction at all.Have you actually ever done this? Wet-sanded with panel wipe?
Over whole, large panels?
I don't think so!
Why the disbelief? I've done it for years and never had an issue. I've also never had an issue with microblistering either - unlike most old bodyshop repairs I encounter!
V8 FOU said:
Always better to lead load any rust or welds. Water doesn't get through lead too easily!
The great advantage of lead loading is that you can't apply it to rust. It will not stick and with only a little effort you can peel it away.So at least you know that under the lead loading there is clean metal.
jackpe said:
Just to use on car bodywork and so on, to tidy up panels before paint and after repair welds...
Basically I have heard that normal filler actually attracts moisture because of the talc content and I that there are types that are better. The fibreglass type is better and stronger but much harder to shape, I know some people have used this as a base filler to form a barrier against the metal and then used normal filler on top to finish it off. But apparently there are fillers that do not attract moisture, that is what I am after..
Just paint over it like normal people do.Basically I have heard that normal filler actually attracts moisture because of the talc content and I that there are types that are better. The fibreglass type is better and stronger but much harder to shape, I know some people have used this as a base filler to form a barrier against the metal and then used normal filler on top to finish it off. But apparently there are fillers that do not attract moisture, that is what I am after..
Talkwrench said:
226bhp said:
Just paint over it like normal people do.
Yes....But you still have to sand it before painting it!
This whole internet bred idea that filler is nasty car wrecking stuff is ridiculous. If it were so unsuitable then there would be millions of cars on todays roads with huge rusting holes and bubbling filler everywhere.
Yet there isn't.
Why is that?
Flatting down with panelwipe is the silliest thing i've read on the internet lately, it's currently my No.1.

As Michael (Talkwrench) will agree I'm not the world's most experienced car painter (!) however I have a lot of experience in keeping/wanting classic cars in tip top condition to be badly abused 
Talkwrench looks after all of my cars and always will. Although you may not have heard of the old panel wipe trick (and I haven't) I wouldn't be too quick to scoff until you've tried it.
This is a selection of my cars he's in charge of. The Porsche he pretty much built/created, the daily snotter 530i he keeps storming around, the E12 M535i is being delivered to him today for a few bits, the DS he was instrumental in getting rally fit (much of which at the last minute!)








Talkwrench looks after all of my cars and always will. Although you may not have heard of the old panel wipe trick (and I haven't) I wouldn't be too quick to scoff until you've tried it.
This is a selection of my cars he's in charge of. The Porsche he pretty much built/created, the daily snotter 530i he keeps storming around, the E12 M535i is being delivered to him today for a few bits, the DS he was instrumental in getting rally fit (much of which at the last minute!)
226bhp said:
And is that a problem?
This whole internet bred idea that filler is nasty car wrecking stuff is ridiculous. If it were so unsuitable then there would be millions of cars on todays roads with huge rusting holes and bubbling filler everywhere.
Yet there isn't.
Why is that?
Flatting down with panelwipe is the silliest thing i've read on the internet lately, it's currently my No.1.

And you, Mr 226, are the reason why I really can't be bothered with these forums. I give a perfectly reasonable suggestion in reply to a specific problem. A method I've used for many years and never had a single incident of the problem it is supposed to rectify (microblistering). I can give a detailed reason why it is a good idea but no doubt you'd flame that down too. All you give is a sweeping cutting down without giving any reason. This whole internet bred idea that filler is nasty car wrecking stuff is ridiculous. If it were so unsuitable then there would be millions of cars on todays roads with huge rusting holes and bubbling filler everywhere.
Yet there isn't.
Why is that?
Flatting down with panelwipe is the silliest thing i've read on the internet lately, it's currently my No.1.

Tell me, what is 'silly' about flatting with panel wipe? I'm interested so I can go back to the now retired paintwork guru who showed me the method and tell him that those perfect paint jobs were just luck, and he's been doing it wrong for all these years.
Is paintwork preparation something you do as part of your job on a daily basis?
Talkwrench said:
And you, Mr 226, are the reason why I really can't be bothered with these forums. I give a perfectly reasonable suggestion in reply to a specific problem. A method I've used for many years and never had a single incident of the problem it is supposed to rectify (microblistering). I can give a detailed reason why it is a good idea but no doubt you'd flame that down too. All you give is a sweeping cutting down without giving any reason.
Tell me, what is 'silly' about flatting with panel wipe? I'm interested so I can go back to the now retired paintwork guru who showed me the method and tell him that those perfect paint jobs were just luck, and he's been doing it wrong for all these years.
Is paintwork preparation something you do as part of your job on a daily basis?
As the OP I appreciate your input and will be trying this out. Don't take people here too seriously.. each has their own opinion.Tell me, what is 'silly' about flatting with panel wipe? I'm interested so I can go back to the now retired paintwork guru who showed me the method and tell him that those perfect paint jobs were just luck, and he's been doing it wrong for all these years.
Is paintwork preparation something you do as part of your job on a daily basis?
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king him off doesn't add any credance to the debate. 