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Topic: what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications? (Read 5517 times) previous topic - next topic

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Bondo is the only thing that comes to mind, but I have never worked with it before, and I have no idea how well it does with plastic.

I need to fill the crack around the cup-holder I installed in place of the ashtray, and the gap where it goes under the shifter trim plate. I really don't know what to use.

I need something that I can shape and sand rather easily but will still maintain a strong bond with the plastic of the console.
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #1 –
fiberglass.. body filler will crack and fall apart
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #2 –
There are a couple types of fiberglass filler. I'd use one of the long strand types.


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what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #3 –
didn't mean fiberglass filler, also known as 'tigers hair'.. i meant actual fiberglass resin/mat.. sorry lol
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #4 –
Would it be sandable after I put it on? It's a very tight and hard to work with area and it will take a lot of slapping it on and shaping over and over most likely for me to get it right...
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #5 –
fiberglass is very workable.. and sticky lol
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #6 –
Well I guess I will give it a shot. Thanks
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #7 –
make sure you do it outside of the car.. if you get it on any of the upholstery, you're going to be :punchballs: :mad: lol
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #8 –
ehh its all gotta get replaced soon anyway... i'll be mixing it outside though of course.

I've never used fiberglass before... is there anything I should know about it that won't be on the directions? and can I just pick it up at AZ?
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #9 –
yes to getting it at autozone.. pretty sure they still sell the bondo brand mat and resin..

as for special tricks, just like regular body filler, the more hardener you use, the faster it dries.. be careful, as the hardener is thin liquid like water, it'll come out of the tube fast.. also, make sure you scuff down the plastic you're going to be messing with.. use some 120 grit to really give the resin something rough to grab onto.. when sanding it down to shape it, start with 120 grit and move onto 320 to get the deep scratches from the rougher paper out.. then wet sand with 800 to get a nice, smooth finish
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #10 –
Most people use glass underneath some other filler.  It has no body or thickness in itself. It comes out like molasses, or 90wt oil.

I'd try it on something first to see if you are happy with it.

Bondo will most probably crack and not stick.

Whatever you use, clean the plastic first, scuff it up for adhesion, and clean it again before trying to apply your product. 

I'm going to do some research on some custom car audio sites to see what they do before I replace the duct tape on my console with something better.

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #11 –
most people use finishing plastic over the fiberglass, but i found if you lay a thick layer of resin over the last mat, the results are great.. finishing plastic is mostly used to fill in any pits or holes left by bubbles in the resin after it hardens.. you can eliminate virtually all bubbles by using a spreader you'd normally use to laying body filler on a body panel.. if it doesn't get all the bubbles or pits out, you can always go over it with the finishing plastic, but use it VERY sparingly, it's not meant to be laid on thick
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #12 –
well here is finally a pic of what I'm actually trying to fill



--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #13 –
yeah.. fiberglass.. lol
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

what is a good filler to use for interior console modifications?

Reply #14 –
Use epoxy or get some plastic welding rods and melt them into place.  If the plastic is ABS, you can use acetone and place ss in the acetone and it will melt them.  Get enough in there and you can make a paste.  With Fiberglass, you will have to glass that entire piece.  You won't be able to use it as just a filler.  Polyester resin is a very poor bonding agent with plastic as well.  This is the cheap stuff you will find at the auto parts store.  It contains styrene which wicks to the top and creates a wax like cover.  This also happens underneath.  If you absolutely have to use fiberglass, get epoxy resin.  Even still it is a poor bond to the plastic.  A specially designed epoxy is your best solution here.