Another frame question

Ken Arms

Ken Arms

Well-known member
Has anyone used body filler to smooth pits in there frame? Just dont know how well it would hold up to natural flex. Also any recomendations for primer, would epoxy be best? Frame has been coated with etch primer after sand blast. Ken
 

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There is a 2 part body filler, not Bondo, that comes recommended. I don't have the name off hand but a good auto paint store should point you in the right direction.
 
Unless one is building a national show winner don't over do it. The only time you see the frame is when it is on a hoist. I have mine sand blasted, made structurally sound and straight then paint with any number of good products. :D
 
You can use plastic body filler to fill the pits, to a point body filler is flexable. Some body filler can be put over self etching primer and some are not recomended to be used over it. Buy a good brand of filler and read it's application guide. I usually apply self etching primer over plastic filler.
 
Get the spec sheets for the etching primer and whatever epoxy primer you are considering; not all epoxies are compatible with all etching primers. Same with fillers.
 
Follow the body filler mfg recommendations and you should be OK as to the filler.

Don't overdo it... just fill the pits. We had a customer for one of our bodies who had this "original" frame which the body did not fit. A check of the frame diagram and a few well placed hits with a hammer left a 1/2 gallon of "bondo" on the floor... and the body fit!
 
when I did my model A, I sandblasted the frame then sprayed it with epoxy 2 part primmer. I just kept going around and around, you can build it up 1/8in. You have to ready with everything when you get ready to spry it. It only has gun life of less than 30 min. or it will harden right in the guy. The next day I just took my DA sander and went all over the outside of the frame right down to the metal, it fill all the pits as smooth as glass. I didn't bother to sand the inside of the frame. I painted the frame black and it looked brand new. Walt
 
I have done quite a few frames and always wanted them to have that ’brand new’ look. Most frame will come with the pits, naturally, and I always fill them in. Firstly, I use an industrial epoxy 2 part primer. The industrial primer ( comes in only 5 gal. container ) I use is actually a finishing type of paint directly over the sandblasted metal…..that is to say that in its form of use, no other paint has be applied over it. The black primer is considered 80% gloss and is completely ‘waterproof’……that is to say that moister will not penetrate down to the metal. This epoxy primer coats heavy with very little running and does not run away from edges. After a few coats, a bolt may no longer fit the hole in the frame…that good on covering edges…..and so tough, that hitting the frame with a heavy hammer will dent the frame, but not damage the paint.
Medium pits are quickly filled and sanded away the following day. For deeper pits, I use premium quality body filler directly over this epoxy primer. Have no fear on using a bit of filler on the frame, with a tiny amount, it will last forever. Once the process of painting, filling, sanding and final painting is done, you will be proud. Keep it black as is, or do a final paint coat with color of your choice. Show car frames of the mega-dollar bracket are all done in such a manner. 1st picture...engine bay shield....looks like it just arrived from the dealer. 2nd picture....most of the '32 frame, running gear is also done with this primer. Robert
 

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I've done my two frames by blasting, coating with two coats of epoxy, then filling pits with Evercoat Rage Extreme. I also skimmed the chassis and blocked it, then epoxied again, high build, blocking again, then base and clear coat. My '33 has been on the road for 15 years and has over 50,000 miles and shows no sign of failure on the painted chassis work. I would check compatibility with the etching primer carefully. I have had problems with that failing if the etch is on too heavy. Good luck with it, Bill
 
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