Bondo (putty)

Bondo is a two-part putty, manufactured by 3M. While the term "Bondo" is a registered trademark for this company's product, it is commonly used in the U.S. as a genericized trademark to refer to all auto-repair putties or so-called plastic body fillers. Bondo is a polyester resin product that when mixed with a hardener (an organic peroxide), or catalyst, turns into a putty which then sets and becomes rock-hard. The user can apply the mixed Bondo, sand it to the proper shape, and prime and paint it like the material around it.

Automotive

Bondo was developed as a replacement for body solder, or molten lead, that was formerly used for the same task. Body solder is much more durable, but may require more effort to apply. Lead-based solder poses toxic hazards for people and the environment due to the heavy metal components. Despite the fact that Bondo is far safer to work with than its lead-based counterparts, it still poses significant health risks. The fumes are quite toxic, and the hardeners can create burns in cases of prolonged skin contact. The use of gloves, a mask, and proper ventilation are all recommended when mixing and applying the filler.

When buying a used car, it is possible to check for damaged areas that have been repaired with significant amounts of Bondo by walking around the car with a magnet, as the magnet will not be attracted to the Bondo. Unscrupulous sellers may mix metal flakes into the mixture before application in order to circumvent the magnet test. This test however, will not detect Bondo on plastic, fiber glass, or carbon fiber components.

Home and hobby

Bondo also distributes "All Purpose Putty" which may be used on, but not limited to, wood, metal, asphalt, masonry, metal, drywall, and tile.

Bondo has widespread usage in Computer Case Modding, as when properly used, can be sanded smooth and painted, and it will attach and hold, without damage, to metal, plastic, acrylic and perspex surface.

Marine

Fiberglass Bondo is used in the marine industry. A glass-reinforced filler, resin, resin repair kit, long strand glass hair, are the types of fillers manufactured.

Formulation

Bondo is based on unsaturated polyester resin, minerals, and glass microspheres. The normal formulation of a lightweight bondo body filler is the following:

*unsaturated polyester resin (flexible putty resin) = 40 parts by weight
*titanium dioxide (pigment) = 2 parts by weight
*styrene monomer (dilutent) = 5 parts by weight
*talc powder 200 mesh = 50 parts by weight
*fumed silica (Aerosil 200) = 2 part by weight
*glass microspheres (scotchlite k 15) = 1 parts by weight

The hardner used depends on the specific type of Bondo. Two of the common types are dibenzoyl peroxide or MEKP paste. MEKP can be dangerous because it burns the skin very easily and is very toxic (keep away from children).

External links

* [http://www.3m.com/US/auto_marine_aero/Bondo/ Bondo Corporation]
* [http://www.3m.com/US/auto_marine_aero/Bondo/catalog_brand3324.html?hdrBrand=1 Bondo Products]
* [http://www.3m.com/US/auto_marine_aero/Bondo/catalog_brand5aac.html?hdrBrand=2 Bondo Home Products]
* [http://www.3m.com/US/auto_marine_aero/Bondo/catalog_brand651b.html?hdrBrand=3 Bondo Marine Products]