Any tricks for slowing down body filler?

[b5blue]

 I'm struggling down here in Florida. I'm using less and less hardener mixed in with my Rage Gold but with the heat and humidity this stuff just bangs off hard in no time flat! Is it normal to only have 2 minutes after it's mixed?
I don't have any large spots, the biggest is the roof/quarter seam the rest are small spots here and there. Granted I'm also fighting the mosquito attacks but this is getting me upset! I'm using 1/2 of the recommended hardener but throwing much more away than I've used? (And it's just getting hotter and wetter down here!)   

[DC_1]

Put the body filler and hardner in the fridge for a few hours. It will bring the temp down and give you about 8-10 min working time.

[DC_1]

You can also put your mixing board, assuming it is steel or aluminum, in the fridge also to aid in keeping the temp down during mixing.

[b5blue]

Thanks I'll try it! I have been storing it at the temp it being used at, worried about humidity, anything cooler instantly gets damp! 

[elitecustombody]

I don't think it's a good idea to put filler in fridge.It will create condensation once it applied to warmer surface.If you have to, let it sit in A/C . I hope that you are not doing this under direct sunlight and hot metal. I've been doing this for over 20 years in Florida and don't have a problem . Also try not to mix more than you need.

[b5blue]

It's under a carport. 

[DC_1]

I have never had a problem with condensation after putting body filler in the fridge. Do a test with a small amount if you're concerned.

[HOTROD]

Mix less 

[Cooter]

I too have been slingin' "Mud" for over 20 years, and the only thing I've found that works in the dead heat of summer is to mix VERY little, work really fast, and spread multiple layers in order to keep this from happening.

[b5blue]

Thanks! I'm going to order some Evercoat Quantum 1 "slow" in a cartridge, it mixes in the tip of the calking type tube.   

[Hudson Hornet !]

Thanks! I'm going to order some Evercoat Quantum 1 "slow" in a cartridge, it mixes in the tip of the calking type tube.   

If you order the quantum you will want to use it fairly soon after you get it. I bought some for my shop and it did not get used for a couple months and the stuff was very hard to dispence and spread across the work area.   

[Kern Dog]

NOBODY likes Bondo anymore?

[bill440rt]

NOBODY likes Bondo anymore?

Bondo is a cheap, low quality, outdated filler compared to the modern fillers that are available.
Modern fillers (such as Rage) spread easier, nearly self-level (less sanding involved), sand easier, shrink less, and have less pinholes.
Take the Coke/Pepsi challenge yourself. Get some Bondo, get some Rage. Repair some practice dents on some scrap parts. The difference between the two fillers will become readily apparent.

Don't get me wrong, Bondo has it's place & if that's what you really prefer then keep on using it.

[Kern Dog]

Prefer?
The simple truth is, I've never tried anything else! Crazy as it sounds, since I have done body and paint on at least 20 cars since 1987. I knew that there were other body fillers out there, but never had a problem with the Bondo brand. This is interesting though. Maybe I'll try the Rage Gold just for fun. Thanks!

[tan top]

this may sound stupid  , but seen guys do this ! & on a hot day  you just know whats going to happen  
 they mix the bondo up well away from  where they are working  , on a work bench etc , then walk back to where the car is   with a bondo already mixed up on the onion board etcetc
have everything close by where your working 

[b5blue]

  I do this mixing on the back side of a cookie sheet, standing next to where I want to put the goo. You guys have me thinking...I have a hunk of plate steel about 12"X18" that is 1/8th thick. If I cooled it and the goo inside my house with the A.C. kicked on low, mixed it then stepped outside it just may buy me more time! Kind of a heat-soaking plate effect. 
  Evercoat has 3 heat range hardeners for Quantum so I may call Tech to see if they are compatible with Rage. What I don't want to do is reduce the hardener so far it doesn't cure properly.   
  I do have a well experienced friend who also swears by Bondo, gets it from Walmart as they sell enough that it's never stale. So Red 70 your not alone! 

[b5blue]

Moving the mud inside to the A/C overnight helped out guys, thanks! It's still fast but much better! 

[jaak]

NOBODY likes Bondo anymore?

There is nothing wrong with Bondo brand, in fact 3m bought the brand a couple of years ago, and I don't think 3m is going to put out an inferior product.

Bondo has got a bad name because 'bondo' is a generic term used for all fillers. Misuse of any body filler whether it be Rage, Bondo or whatever is a bad thing.

Jason

[b5blue]

  Ya gotta make certain it's not old! I bought a can of Bondo from Advance Auto for the Jeep and returned it as it was nasty! That's when I gave up and went to a body shop supply house. They talked me out of Rage and it's a good thing because the stuff I did get went stale waiting for me to start on the Charger. Use it or loose it.

[jaak]

 Ya gotta make certain it's not old! I bought a can of Bondo from Advance Auto for the Jeep and returned it as it was nasty! That's when I gave up and went to a body shop supply house. They talked me out of Rage and it's a good thing because the stuff I did get went stale waiting for me to start on the Charger. Use it or loose it.

Yes Neal, its true you need to buy filler from body shop suppliers it will be fresher. I never buy it at chain stores, like walmart, autozone, etc. At chain stores it seems to sit on the shelves longer.

Can't wait to see some updated pics of your '70!

Jason

[b5blue]

Thanks Jason! Work is going really slow so no new real progress to report yet!