Automotive putty: types, reviews

Repair work in the automotive body part usually involves the implementation of technical operations to restore the geometry of the carcass. Another type of work, already cosmetic, is aimed at providing the surfaces of the body with the desired decorative effect. The working materials in this case include paintwork, primers and protective pastes. In turn, automobile putty combines several functions at once, among which one can note protective ones.

Filling and finishing mixtures

It is rare when the primer is applied in a single layer. So in the case of automotive plastering - it is divided into two large groups that differ in performance. Actually, the properties of the compositions determine the sequence in which this or that composition will be applied. Separate the two categories of fillers - filling and finishing. The first group includes mixtures that perform the function of a basic foundation for paintwork. These are large-fraction types of automotive fillings, which form a rigid mechanical base. The second category, represented by lapidary mixtures, is in some way finish, but it should not be confused with decorative coatings. Its task is to give the coating already applied optimum characteristics for processing with decorative layers. In particular, lapping compounds provide adhesiveness, i.e., high surface adhesion.

Reinforcing compounds

This is a typical representative of a group of filling fillers, whose list of tasks includes providing mechanical strength to the base coating of the shell. A feature of the composition of this mixture is the presence of fibers of fiberglass. It is the presence of small filaments that creates a damage-resistant platform of all kinds on the surface of the car frame. And here it is important to answer the question of how to use automotive filler with fiberglass in the composition. There may be two approaches. The first involves the use of a composition in which plastic fibers are already present. In this case, the master only needs to dilute the mixture with water in the required proportions. However, it is possible to prepare the reinforcing base and independently, using as filler of any type of putty. In this case, it is necessary to additionally purchase a mixture of fiberglass fibers and mix it with the base composition. Further, the resulting mass is applied to the surface as a primer material.

Mixtures for the formation of the finish coat

Coatings of this type are prepared on the basis of fine-grained pastes. As already noted, their function is to prepare the existing surface for further work on the decorative layers. The preparation itself is not only to increase the adhesion of the filler coating, but also to correct its small defects. Do not forget that coarse fiberglass compounds are not ideal in their structure and apart from the released fibers they can include large grains. In turn, the final car putty hides all defects and irregularities, forming a smooth surface of the body. After the application of this layer, grinding or polishing may also be required.

Putty for plastic

Unlike metal, plastic requires a more delicate approach in terms of applying protective coatings. To work with such surfaces, manufacturers produce fine-grained pastes with enhanced adhesion properties. In the process of application, the user forms a thin layer, which can serve as a basis for further processing with filler compounds, or as a final layer before decorative finishing. But it is important to consider that the preparation of such mixtures has its own nuances. The main question in this context: how to dilute car shpatlevku, designed for plastic? The basis can be water, but, for example, for polyester compounds, it will also be superfluous to add a 2% hardener. In addition, before the treatment should be applied to the working plastic surface degreasing film.

Tips for using putty

Before processing, the surface of the body is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and rust. Then you can go to the composition itself, and only the volume that is guaranteed to be consumed in the next few minutes is prepared for use. The application is made with a spatula or even a syringe - the main thing is to form thin and neat layers without sharp transitions in thickness levels. Particular attention is paid to the additional components with which the car putty can be diluted. The instruction usually recommends the inclusion of hardeners and plasticizers, but it is not necessary to abuse the additives. The fact is that modifiers increase some working properties of putty, but reduce others. After the treatment is completed, a drying process begins, which in natural conditions can last several hours or even a day.

Positive feedback on putty

Although the process of processing the body with putty seems complicated, after its completion, the result is more likely to justify the applied efforts. Users distinguish two advantages of such mixtures. First, they provide a reliable primer coating with the effect of leveling the surface and eliminating defects. Secondly, the operational protective qualities possessed by automobile putties are also noted. Reviews indicate that the rust and mechanical damage during the use of the machine practically do not affect the metal substrate treated with putty. That is, a protective shell is formed, which does not allow outside influences of any kind.

Negative feedback

There are also disadvantages of car-care fillers, which can manifest themselves in the most unexpected aspects. For example, there have been cases where users have noted a negative impact on the surface of the metal frame by the applied compound. Here it should be noted that, most likely, such problems arise due to improper preparation of pastes - for example, due to the high concentration of introduced modifiers. In addition, car putty can deliver a lot of problems when it will require a major overhaul of the body with the elimination of all primer coatings.

Conclusion

Such coatings can be called specialized, as they provide non-standard operational effects. It is enough to note the increased adhesive function, thanks to which a dense coupling of paste and metal is formed. The main question relates to how justifies the car putty from the point of view of the ordinary driver. Undoubtedly, the protective properties of such devices manifest themselves from the very best sides, but there are also negative factors that should also be taken into account. To maintain a balance between the positive and negative nuances of applying putty for cars, it is extremely cautious to approach the bodywork using this technique. For example, use thin layers, carefully approach the choice of additives and, of course, do not forget about the regular maintenance of the surface of the machine already in use.