I'm wondering how some of you folks measure the correct amount of hardener to add in with you filler. In the past, I've used the "hmm, that's probably about right" method with mixed results. My can says to add 1/4 inch of hardener to a golf ball size amount of filler, or 1 teaspoon of hardener to 4 tblsps of filler.

It just seems that there has to be a better way than estimating the number of golf balls in a glob http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif and the picture of me scraping filler from the kitchen measuring spoons doesn't look pretty either.

Anybody have any magic for this?

If you canget your hands on a gram scale(common in most paint shops that have a paint mixing system), that would be the most accurate method of mixing filler. I guess an ordinary scale that shows ounces will work also. To do this take the weight of the tube of hardener and divide that by the weight of the filler. That will give you the percentage of hardener to add to the filler. This will usually be 2 to 3 percent. If you call the filler manufacturer they can give you this ratio,too. Example: If you weigh out 100 grams of filler, 0 out the scale and add 2 to 3 grams of hardener to the filler. This method is foolproof and provides for a perfect mix every time.
Gordon VM
Reetoration Motorsports http://groups.msn.com/Restorationphotos/shoebox.msnw?Page=1

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GVMLS6:
This method is foolproof and provides for a perfect mix every time.
Gordon VM
Reetoration Motorsports http://groups.msn.com/Restorationphotos/shoebox.msnw?Page=1 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This may get you in the ball park but shop conditions play a big part in this. Using the same amount of hardener in a warm shop will act a lot different in a cool shop. I dont think there is any one perfect recipe for mixing. What works best for you and the way you spread it will determine the correct mixture. Some people need more time to spread and smooth it out than others do..
Ron



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70 Chevelle SS396 (427)M21 Before (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/70before.jpg) / After (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/70later.jpg)
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Aces 3081, TC #54 Gold

Thanks Guys. I hadn't even considered the weight method. I'll give this some thought.
Toocool - I definitely know what you're saying about conditions. The last time I was working with filler was in the middle of a Texas summer and either I could barely get the stuff on before it kicked, or I backed off so much on hardner that it barely kicked at all.

Today, i was thinking about marking a bowl with known gradients, scooping the filler into the bowl to see how much I had, then dumping it out on the mixing board. I may wind up trying this.

Thanks for your help.

when I worked at a body shop we always just pored the bondo on an applicator pad into a circle and then made an X across the circle, right or wrong, it worked for us...humidity would play a part in how fast the mixture got hard.

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Michael
T.C. member # 758
ACES member # 4292

69 malibu convertible
69 malibu h/t 307/pg &gt;&gt;this space reserved for 66/67 4spd chevelle&lt;&lt;
01 gmc sierra

Have to concur on the subject of warmer temps. You will need a little less hardener in warmer weather. However, the 2-3% will work in almost all other conditions
Gordon

Thanks guys. I decided to forget the precise measuring approach and give Michael's X method a try. It worked good, just needed to keep the X on the thin side to give myself enough working time.

Looks like it will be the "Hmm, that looks like about the right size X" approach for me.

Thanks Again.