to Bondo or not to Bondo

[jsp_333 268]

I'm doing a full restore on an rj.  Several pieces have some pretty significant pitting.

When all the paint is stripped off and down to bare metal it looks pretty cool.

Tool box in pic has some flash oxidation on it. 

I know I can't keep it as bare metal

Has anyone just gone from bare pitted metal to primer to paint and left the pitting.

And were you pleased with the result?  Or did you regret not filling the pits with bondo and getting a nice smooth surface.

Also this is my first restore. Am I correct in thinking fill in all the pitting with Bondo or is there another way?

I know this is subjective and I can get whatever "look" I want but I'm wondering about members' experience with this sort of thing.

 

 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

I personally love that bare metal look with the pitting.

How will you be storing it after you're done?

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Had parts of this tractor in bare metal for years.

 

 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

How I kept it sealed.

[ebinmaine 67,610]

50 minutes ago, jsp_333 said:

I know this is subjective and I can get whatever "look" I want but I'm wondering about members' experience with this sort of thing.

 

As you've eluded to already it really is up to you as the owner and/or restorer. 

 

The tractors Trina and I have restored have all been built specifically to work so we've not been adamant about a specific shine or smooth paint. 

We also use satin sheen because it's more forgiving to the eye when looking at a rough surface. 

 

I don't know the capacity of different types of body filler to fill different depths/sizes of pits. I know they do have variables. 

 

Filler Primer would work well for smaller/shallower pits. 

 

Layering black primer with gray or white allows a good visual of depth of holes or dents. 

 

 

[Crazyredhorse 295]

could just cut out a piece of thin sheet metal n cover it up.or just brush on some thick coats of primer and keep sanding between coats till it smoothes.

[Pullstart 62,911]

44 minutes ago, Crazyredhorse said:

thin sheet metal n cover it up

In my experience, that’s asking for more rust and corrosion.  
 

If you choose to paint it for a resto, you’ll be thankful you smoothed it however you go about.  Here’s a vote for smoothing it before paint!  

[dalez 137]

If that's the inside of a toolbox I would brush on truck bed coating.

[jsp_333 268]

I didn't think keeping it bare metal was an option.

But seat, fenders, tool box and rims bare metal would definitely be a look.

My seat looks exactly like the one in the video. 

 

The tractor will be stored indoors and not used in the summers.

It will be used as a snowplow when we get too little snow for the snow thrower and will be fun to bring out with the blade.

And for the annual Christmas  tractor parade on my street.

 

Truck bed coating is great idea.

I think I'll do up the tractor in bright high gloss red put it all back together and see how she looks with the bare metal parts.

 

And it's as simple as pull a part out of the electrolysis tank, wire brush as required, clean it with mineral spirits, dry it and wax it with paste wax?

Thanks all

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Mine was only a fair weather tractor so it never saw rain or snow while in my possession.

But, I have faith in the product, give it a try, I would just reapply it more frequently. 

 

[ebinmaine 67,610]

19 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

have faith in the product

I'll second that. 

Mother's old school original paste is another excellent one. 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Another thought...

if you plan to use during inclement weather, for maximum protection just give it a liberal application before hand and don't buff it off. 

[jsp_333 268]

Thanks All.  I'm going to go this route.

If I don't care for it I can always move forward with filling in all the pitting and painting next year.

 

But my original question remains  has anyone taken a heavily pitted part and just primed and painted?

Or would that not even be an option because you'd be mixing the old weathered look with a fresh from the factory look.

I think I'm answering my own question but I'd love to hear from anyone that's tried it.

[ebinmaine 67,610]

2 minutes ago, jsp_333 said:

But my original question remains  has anyone taken a heavily pitted part and just primed and painted?

 

ALL of our tractors have been done exactly that way.  

[jsp_333 268]

Ok, thanks, ebinmaine.  My first full resto so that's my excuse for asking.

[ebinmaine 67,610]

4 minutes ago, jsp_333 said:

Ok, thanks, ebinmaine.  My first full resto so that's my excuse for asking.

 

I do occasionally wish I'd done more to the hood in particular. 

But.... It's a work tractor. It was VERY rough when we got it. 

The pits and dents are the history and character of this tractor. 

I'm only going to put more scratches and dents in it so we left it as it was. 

 

It's been touched up a few times for shows and gatherings like at @JCM Jim's place. 

 

 

[jsp_333 268]

Yeah I'm going to do exactly the same thing.

Show it occasionally but first and foremost it has to work