Tried a bondo spreader vs a putty knife on a Nissan trunk lid last week

I always used a standard putty knife for filler work, but a buddy at the shop swore by those plastic bondo spreaders. Grabbed a pack for $4 at Napa and tried it on a 2018 Nissan Altima trunk where I had about 1/8 inch of filler to lay down. The spreader gave me way smoother coverage with less sanding after because it didn't leave those low spots I always get with the metal edge. Has anyone else made the swap and noticed a difference on panel work?

3 comments

3 Comments

averyc9422d ago

Read a test review online where a body shop guy ran both tools side by side on the same dent. He used a bondo spreader and a putty knife on two identical rust spots. The spreader side needed half as much sanding time and the top coat laid down way smoother without that wavy look. His photos showed a big difference. Makes sense since plastic gives more even pressure without hard spots catching on the filler. Ever try feathering out thin edges with a spreader versus a knife? That review said the plastic handled thin layers way better.

rowanw9122d ago

Napa plastics beat Dewalt metal every time.

blair99022d ago

You ever seen a Dewalt blade catch a nail wrong? My buddy ripped one of those metal ones down framing a shed last spring and it sent a chunk of steel flying past his ear. He swapped to the Napa plastic handled ones the next day. Now he swears by em for any rough work where the blade might hit something unexpected.