ok to use putty on frame?

[Steve G.]

Finishing up my frame before final painting. There are a few areas with pitting that showed up after sand blasting. Is it ok to use putty there? I was wondering if the frame flexing might be an issue. Also, frame was straightened so there are 4 slight indentations on side frame rails (2 per side) where the frame machine locked onto the frame. I was planning on using some bondo there. Should I be concerned about cracking down the road when frame flexes? Is there a better approach? Steve

[Paul S.]

Re: ok to use putty on frame?

Go Ahead And Use It, I've Spot Puttied Frames For Years To Make Them Look Nice . With Problems

[Edward J.]

Re: ok to use putty on frame?

Steve, If The Pitting Isnt To Bad,use A Sandable Primer As A Filler Then Paint. Bondo, Is Somewhat Flexable But Doesnt Like Mositure,

[Tom L.]

Re: ok to use putty on frame?

On a late model stock car many years ago we hit the wall and bent the front clip a bit. It was the end of the season so a friend straightened it as well as he could on a frame machine but didn't like the ripples in the steel. He bondo'd it and repainted. It looked good.

As it turned out we sold that car so we could get a new one. We found out why bondo is a problem after the guy that bought it had a similar accident. He too tried to bend it back but heaterd it to bend the clip back. After he tried it he wanted to know why the frame went on fire!!!

Turns out that bondo will burn.

[Dick W.]

Re: ok to use putty on frame?

Be sure to use a self etching primer with expoxy under the filler. Rust will push the filler out. Also use a good polyester filler. Has a little more flex than spot putty and will not shrink back as bad

[Harmon C.]

Re: ok to use putty on frame?

The filler will chip off if you jack on the spot where you put it.

[Steve G.]

Re: ok to use putty on frame?

Thanks guys. All good suggestions. Steve

[Bill L.]

Re: ok to use putty on frame?

I had some pitting on the brake booster and as has been suggested, build up and sand off sandable primer.

It worked perfectly on the booster. I suspect it will on the frame too.


Bill