Within the pursuit of paint perfection, each floor flaw have to be tackled earlier than the primary fog of basecoat ever leaves the spray gun. Among the many instruments in your arsenal, glazing putty takes middle stage for its skill to supply precision and element. Whereas different fillers excel at bulk filling and structural help, glazing putty’s finesse lies in erasing minor scratches, pinholes, and shallow dents.
Nonetheless, glazing putty (generally known as spot putty) is commonly used incorrectly by novices as a one-size-fits-all answer. And the outcomes are predictably undesirable, often revealed as low spots or cracks. Understanding the strengths and limitations of this specialised filler can forestall frequent errors for optimum outcomes by yourself tasks.
What’s glazing putty?
Glazing putty and physique filler each serve related functions, however they differ significantly of their objective, composition, and software. Physique fillers are supposed to stage out giant and/or deep imperfections, in addition to assist form contours. Putties, conversely, are supposed to fill mild scratches, small pin holes, and low spots that emerge throughout sanding and priming.
Although each merchandise are usually polyester-based, glazing putty comprises the next proportion of solvents to realize a thinner consistency. And whereas polyester physique fillers nearly all the time use a catalyst or hardener, some spot putties harden up with out one. Putties typically treatment sooner on account of their larger solvent content material, which might additionally result in higher shrinkage.
Whereas physique fillers are usually laid on thick – it’s not known as “mud work” for no motive – glazing putty must be utilized in a number of skinny layers to realize any type of thickness. Putty’s lighter composition, nevertheless, permits for simpler sanding and permits it to feather with different primers and fillers extra simply.
Widespread Putty Errors
Glazing putty must be used sparingly and for a restricted variety of makes use of. These embrace floor smoothing after physique filler however earlier than primer, feathering edges between repaired and unique surfaces, small touch-ups revealed throughout sanding, or remaining post-bodywork repairs. Under are the methods putty is usually misused.
Deep Filling When used for deep filling, it could shrink, crack, or fail to supply satisfactory help.
Major Filler It lacks the structural energy of standard physique filler and will result in poor adhesion, cracking, or sagging.
Moisture Publicity Making use of glazing putty to surfaces with moisture or humidity can have an effect on the curing course of, resulting in poor adhesion and potential long-term points.
Skipping Priming Making use of glazing putty immediately to reveal metallic with out correct priming can result in poor adhesion and potential rust points. Glazing putty will not be designed to guard towards corrosion or bond with naked metallic.
Overuse Thick layers might take longer to dry, enhance the chance of cracking, and make sanding more difficult.
Not Sanding Between Layers Making use of subsequent layers with out correct sanding between coats might end in an unsmooth end the place adhesion between layers may be compromised.
RESOURCES IN THIS ARTICLE
