Body Fillers?

[BS]

I would like to start the process of smoothing the bottom side of the hood and deck lid including around the area where the support tubes are attached to the hood with HSRF, fill the imperfections in my body, and build the rolled edges on the cockpit edges. What is a good filler to do this?

I've looked at the Rage, Rage Gold, Rage Gold Extreme, and the more generic fillers like the Eastwood branded fillers, (which are about half the price).

Which would you choose? And, btw, I have a Carbon Fiber body. (not the Factory Five CF body) Does this make any difference in the fillers I should use?

TIA,
Bob

[dallas_]

I would have said Rage Gold, but since you have a carbon fiber body I have no idea if that filler will work on the CF.

Maybe ping G-Pete, he has a CF body and would probably know.

[BS]

I've decided to get a gallon of Rage Gold and see if it will do the job. I've been using West Systems epoxy for my wheel opening rolled edges and other small repairs and it seems to work fine as does the HSRF for attaching pieces to the body so it seems the resins used in this CF body are compatible with these types of fillers.

Now, I need an idea of what abrasives I will need to smooth these out, prep the body for filler, etc.... so I can make one order and have what I need to get started. I know you guys like to help guys spend their money so let's hear it!

Bob

[Fastcars]

I would get a good selection of 80 grit, 120 grit, 180 grit, 220 grit and 320 grit. For final preparation before sealing you will need 400 and maybe even 500 sandpaper. To get the body really flat and in shape you will want to start with relatively coarse sandpaper which will take off the high spots quickly and level the surface. And then work progressively through finer grades of sandpaper to reduce the sanding scratch size.

[BigLeo69]

some call it green lead
duraglass fiber filled

[south dakobra]

I liked Rage and Rage Gold. Used Rage on most of the build. Was happy with it so did not pay the extra for Rage Gold. I like 80 grit before applying filler. I'd agree with Fastcars on a variety.

If I remember correctly when mixed Rage worked better on side panels and Rage Gold was more creamy and would sag quickly before it set up. Even Rage had very, very few pinholes and sanded well without gumming up sandpaper. You pay more for Rage products, but save $$ on sandpaper cost on labor time.

I think also Extreme is just a skim coat filler.

[dallas_]

And please do some research before you sand the carbon fiber.
I've heard it is really bad if you inhale that dust.

[BS]

The body I have was pretty well prepped before I received it, so it won' t need a lot of prep sanding or grinding. There are a few dips and chips from handling and from imperfections in the mold that will need filling but nothing major like the seams on the FF5 bodies. (no criticism intended)

The most of the work will be rolling the cockpit edges and smoothing out the bottom of the hood, trunk, and door skins and filling around the tubes on the pieces where the tubing is attached to the hood, trunk, and door skins to smooth out where the HSRF was used to bond the tubes to the skins. I'll try to post some pics as I get to work on it. I may need to get a quart or so of the Rage for the cockpit edges if the Gold sags too much. Guess I'll know in a few days when the materials arrive.

Thanks for the help guys and keep it coming. I'm a real newbie at body work, especially on a glass car.

And thanks for the warning. I am aware of the issues with sanding the carbon fiber so I won't be sanding any more of the body than I have to. I will use at the least a good dust mask and possibly a good filter mask to keep the dust at bay.

Bob

[COMPETITIONCOBRA]

FOR SURE... Wear some respiratory protection when grinding Carbon Fiber... Bad stuff to inhale.