That tip about using filler with hardener in cold weather cost me a whole weekend

An old timer at my shop told me to double the hardener in my filler when it's under 50 degrees out. I tried it last Saturday on a fender repair and it kicked off way too fast, like within 3 minutes I couldn't even spread it. Ended up having to grind it all out and start over on Sunday morning. Temperature was 47 degrees in the bay and I should have just brought the filler inside to warm up instead. Has anyone else gotten bad advice about cold weather body work that messed them up?

2 comments

2 Comments

kai60218d ago

Oh man I feel your pain. I did basically the same thing on a buddy's truck door except I used the hardener from a kit that had been sitting in my unheated shed all winter. Thought I'd be smart and dump in an extra squirt. That stuff turned into a rock before I even got it out of the mixing cup. Had to chisel it out with a screwdriver and a hammer. You ever try explaining to a buddy why you need another weekend to fix their truck because you basically glued a cup to your workbench?

smith.blair18d ago

Gotta push back a little here. Extra hardener when it's cold is a recipe for disaster but I've actually had way better luck with a bit more hardener in winter. You just gotta mix it in a warm spot and work fast. I kept a cup of hot water next to me last time and dipped the mixing stick in it first. Got a solid 8 minutes of working time before it started getting stiff. That chiseling story gave me a good laugh though, I've definitely been there.