Letter 3801

Filler before Powdercoat

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I need to know if anyone has a suggestion for a powdercoat filler to cover surface imperfections in steel. Bondo [link is to product info at Amazon] won't do as it emits gasses that won't allow good adhesion.

Wyatt Buchanan
binghamton, New York

I have found a product that works well for me. Although maybe not too efficient for large scale operation, when we have a few parts that have pits, we use a Metal Repair Stik made by Permatex [Permatex Multi-metal Epoxy Stick [link is to product info at Amazon]]. It's a small roll of 2 components that you pinch off, roll into a well mixed ball, and smooth onto the imperfection. While it is still soft, we can smooth it to a nice finish with just a good rub of the finger. Good luck.

Paul Norman
- Odessa, Texas

Alvin products Lab-Metal 24 oz [link is to product info at Eastwood] is the best stuff I have used in my 10 years in the powder coating field.

Joe Smith
- Portland, Oregon

If anyone in India is reading please help me too find a similar product which is available locally here !!!

Khozema Vahanwala Saify Ind   Bangalore, Karnataka, India

WE AT RAL ARE MOTOR BODY BUILDERS WITH IN HOUSE POWDERCOATING. WE USE ACRYLIC LATEX ADHESIVE TO FILL PIN HOLES AND SEAMS. THE FINISH IS RELATIVE TO EFFORT. NO GAS PROBLEMS IF CURED. ALSO WE HAVE EXPERIMENTED WITH POLYURETHANE ADHESIVE - NEEDS TO BE WELL CURED AND HAS A MAX TEMP (STILL TRYING).

TONY LORENZ
- BENDIGO. AUSTRALIA

Pin holes or surface imperfections can be filled with epoxies or structural adhesives which allow painting.

For the Gentleman from India who wanted to know the source of these products, Permatex is available through Timken Bearings India and Permabond products through JJ Gandhi Chemicals Mumbai.

Satish Agrawal
- Visakhapatnam, AP, India

Ed. note: Finishing.com's supporting advertiser Dura-Chem has developed a solvent-free filler specifically for powder coating.