Using Bondo to Repair Rusty Holes in Metal

How to Use Bondo

Are you familiar with Bondo? With my dad being a mechanic and a fan of restoring cars, I’ve known about Bondo for years! Bondo is a compound that is mainly used in the automotive industry for repairing dents, dings, or large scratches in metal.  Bondo is also used to repair wood, drywall, concrete, brick, fiberglass, etc. When I was giving my wheelbarrow an update, I noticed a hole in the edge where the rust has eaten the metal away and I used Bondo to repair it. Let me show you how to use Bondo to make repairs to any material, this example being metal!

Materials:

• Bondo with hardener (<– affiliate link!)
• Container to mix the compound (I used a plastic sushi tray!)
• An ice cream stick or stir stick to mix the Bondo
• Gloves
• 80 grit sandpaper

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions first. There may be a bit of pertinent info contained in the instructions regarding the project.

Start by sanding the area to be repaired with the 80 grit sandpaper. This creates a surface for the Bondo to bite into it.

After stirring the compound in the can, scoop a bit of the Bondo into a plastic container. Only use enough Bondo for the project.

Apply a bead of the hardener to the compound in the tray, and stir to mix the compound and the hardener.

Apply the mixed compound to the area needing repair. I applied it to the end of the wheelbarrow tub, as well as to a couple of cracks on the inside to reinforce these areas. Let the compound dry.

Thoroughly sand the compound and the area where it was applied, then apply primer and paint…

Good as new!

I have been around the Bondo product all my life and this was the first time I’d actually used it! I found it to be very quick, easy, and it looks great! Have any questions about how to use Bondo? Let me know at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!