Watery Bondo problems

[neil_w]

I have a tube of Bondo Spot/Glazing putty, which I've used a bit but am by no means expert with. Lately I'm having a major problem, which is that when I open the tube, there's a bunch of really thin, watery stuff at the top, which tends to drip all over the place. I'm having no luck getting to the putty inside. I could try pouring off all the liquid, but presumably that liquid would be best off blended into the putty. I don't see any way to do that, given the metal tube the stuff comes in.

I'm probably going to switch to Tamiya white for many of the jobs I use the Bondo for, but I'd like to understand how to be able to effectively use the tube I have. Can anyone give pointers?

BTW, the tube is probably about 1 year old.

 

[Daddyisabar]

I noticed the same with the new tube of Green Squadron putty I opened recently. Got all over the place as I was not expecting it. Never a problem in the past, but they have changed the packaging and probably the formula. All I can think of is careful massaging of the tube before opening, even if new.

 

[neil_w]

I find it's not really possible to successfully massage a metal tube, which is why I'm kinda left scratching my head here.

I could squeeze the whole tube out into a bowl and mix it up, but not sure what to do with it afterwards (boy that would smell).

 

[Gary Byrum]

I heard Micro say that he stands his tube on the cap ( upside down )so the liquid goes to the bottom of the tube. Since I started doing that, I have pure putty coming out of the hole.

 

[Lowpuller]

Before opening tube, gently squeeze the sides to expand the tube, in essence creating a vacuum. Then carefully open, pointed up, insert toothpick and stir. Close shake, repeat, use........

Good luck.

 

[neil_w]

I heard Micro say that he stands his tube on the cap ( upside down )so the liquid goes to the bottom of the tube. Since I started doing that, I have pure putty coming out of the hole.

I will give that a whirl, seems reasonable.

 

[blackjack2564]

I heard Micro say that he stands his tube on the cap ( upside down )so the liquid goes to the bottom of the tube. Since I started doing that, I have pure putty coming out of the hole.

+1 when storing I put it vertical on cap also.Works.

 

[Woody's Workshop]

It's the resin, you need it. Need the tube and mix it in.
If you've ever opened a qt. or gal. can of bondo there is resin on the top.
You have to stir it in with a paint stick. It makes the solids blend and helps even hardening throughout your application.

 

[Gary Byrum]

It's the resin, you need it. Need the tube and mix it in.
If you've ever opened a qt. or gal. can of bondo there is resin on the top.
You have to stir it in with a paint stick. It makes the solids blend and helps even hardening throughout your application.

Kneading a lead tube is problematic. 1) you'll never get it all incorporated. 2) Lead tubes will get creased and develop leaks from too much kneading. I have considered transferring it all into another container that can be sealed air tight so it won't dry out and you can stir when necessary, but I have yet to find, or know what would be an adequate container. Storing it the way I mentioned is about the best alternative I know of.

 

[BDB]

I just experienced this problem last night, and I have orange drip marks on my garage floor to prove it. The tube is sitting upside down right now. Thanks.

 

[MALBAR 70]

Before opening tube, gently squeeze the sides to expand the tube, in essence creating a vacuum. Then carefully open, pointed up, insert toothpick and stir. Close shake, repeat, use........
Good luck.

This is what I do...

I heard Micro say that he stands his tube on the cap ( upside down )so the liquid goes to the bottom of the tube. Since I started doing that, I have pure putty coming out of the hole.

This is what I'm doing from now on.

 

[Lowpuller]

I agree, I'm storing cap down going forward, including my JB Weld. For some reason my last batch of JBW the black component is separating and the few batches I have mixed are staying soft for a very long time.

 

[neil_w]

I flipped my tube upside down, and a couple of days later it's at least a little better. Presumably it'll take some time for the liquid to reabsorb and rise back to the top.

But I got pretty annoyed with it. I was using a toothpick to apply it, and due to some fancy acrobatics the toothpick managed to fly across the workbench and bounce off my shirt. I kid you not, it was surreal. *Fortunately*, I wasn't wearing a good shirt, because that stuff really stains.

In the future I think I'm gonna try the Tamiya white putty, which I can pick up in Hobby Lobby.

 

[Gary Byrum]

Give it about a week. That stuff is thick.