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body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:19 pm
by kevtherev
hello all, i have a dent in my sill with a small hole in the middle. the dent is approx 3 or 4 inches long hole about the size of a penny (if that)so i am planning on sticking some filler in there and rattle can respray
question; whats the best way to get the filler to stick as obviously its underneath and i dont want it dropping out the first bump i run over

would cutting the paintwork horizontal and vertically with a stanley work or do i need to drill smalls holes in the dent or even better would it just take if i slapped it in there??
thanks in advance
Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:39 pm
by parcelman
hi buddy ive had same problem and what i used was the filler with the fibre glass in as long as the area is clean and dry it wont drop of,it worked for me anyway,good luck.
Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:48 pm
by steve_earwig
Clean any loose stuff off, if it's bright shiny paint around the hole you should score it, the Stanley knife will do fine. I don't see much point in drilling holes in it, that's more for your standard dent and yours has a big hole in it already...
I hope you realise this is only a temporary repair, if you just lob some filler in there the rust will get worse behind it and eventually the filler will fall out, leaving a far worse hole to deal with. Sills are also structural, you might be pulling the wool over the tester's eyes but you aren't avoiding the laws of physics.
So there.
Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:53 pm
by jamjar1383
also make sure u only use a skim of filler as ive seen mot testers use magnets to find filler thats been painted over.
Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:16 pm
by kevtherev
steve_earwig wrote:
I hope you realise this is only a temporary repair, if you just lob some filler in there the rust will get worse behind it and eventually the filler will fall out, leaving a far worse hole to deal with. Sills are also structural, you might be pulling the wool over the tester's eyes but you aren't avoiding the laws of physics.
took it down to the garage as the car is being tested on the 5th march spoke to the mot guy and he said it would pass with the hole , {prob get an advisory) but the position of the hole is fine coz its " more than a foot from the coil spring" and "not too far underneath the car" were his words..
im a bit torn what to do really ... i know someone who has his own car body repair place and he said he would weld it and respray affected area for 60 quid, i initially thought that was a bit steep but maybe i should get it done properly instead of bodging it??
Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:38 pm
by Gary406
NO. save your 60 quid mate.
im sure you have sum sand paper lieing around. sand it around the hole so you get a good metal base.
mix the filler and do it yourself mate ..
tin of spray bout 6 quid from halfords ...
its not 100% important to get paint match brilliant after all its under the sill ..
i rekan you can have £50 in your own back pocket rather than give it to body shop ..
PLUS the satisfaction of fixing it yourself when its complete ..
BUT if your not bothered about the money and you have loads stashed away thats upto you .

Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:22 pm
by kevtherev
thanks for all the replies,looks like im gonna fill it then you swung it for me gary lol
my initial thoughts were to fill it back flush with the rest of the sill is this right?? or just get the hole filled in and leave the dent??
Gary406 wrote:
BUT if your not bothered about the money and you have loads stashed away thats upto you .

ha ha i wish

Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:29 pm
by Gary406
yes you need to fill it back to the sills original shape ... filler sands down if you fill it to much .
just put a thin layer on then let it set. then add more layers ...
keep adding and sanding untill you get it back to its normal shape. then lightly spray over it with a tin of spray .
i think halfords to tins 5.99 . just match it upto your paint code and it will be fine ...
Re: body filler
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:08 pm
by kevtherev
Gary406 wrote:yes you need to fill it back to the sills original shape ... filler sands down if you fill it to much .
just put a thin layer on then let it set. then add more layers ...
keep adding and sanding untill you get it back to its normal shape. then lightly spray over it with a tin of spray .
i think halfords to tins 5.99 . just match it upto your paint code and it will be fine ...
okey dokey thanks for all the replies again, just need a decent weekend to do it now