chip /chunk repair

[AndreLaplume]

As a followup to my post about a roof rack cover part (Garage door hit the rear roof of the RAV) I have another issue. In addition to the door cracking what I now know is called a roof rack rear leg cover....I got a few scrathches on the rear spoiler / fin...the part that holds th 3rd rear brake light. I buffed them out. But.... 2 small chunks were out of the lip. It seams to be made of plastic. I touched up the mess with paint and its not as noticable but I am tempeted to try to fill the chunks with some sort of filler then sand and paint. The question is, what do I use. I do not need a gallon of bondo or anything. I really envision a product that allows me to spatula on a finger nail size portion of product, level it off with a putty knife, let harden and paint. The one chunck is not deep and maybe the size of half a dime and the other a little smaller.

Can any one reccomend anything..I really do not want to replace that whole spoiler / fin piece.

[MrPhejEjHmoob]

If you don't want to replace the whole spoiler, Bondo is your only solution.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[AndreLaplume]

does it come in a small tube?

[Carbon]

See Products | Body and Bumper Touchup Paint | AutomotiveTouchup | 888-710-5192

[JuneBug]

In my model airplane days, when I had a dent or a chunk missing in the leading edge of a wing or fin, I would put a glob of 5-minute epoxy in the space and cover it with frosted scotch tape. The tape would make the epoxy conform to the shape of the wing and after it cured, I would peel off the tape and paint over it. Just throwing out an idea.

[AndreLaplume]

Originally Posted by Carbon

See Products | Body and Bumper Touchup Paint | AutomotiveTouchup | 888-710-5192

will the tube stuff (w or w/out hardener) work....hate to buy a quart...hell even a tube is too much...

[Carbon]

Originally Posted by JuneBug

In my model airplane days, when I had a dent or a chunk missing in the leading edge of a wing or fin, I would put a glob of 5-minute epoxy in the space and cover it with frosted scotch tape. The tape would make the epoxy conform to the shape of the wing and after it cured, I would peel off the tape and paint over it. Just throwing out an idea.

I had a little dent in the outer edge of a wheel well. I stretched Saran Wrap over the area, and taped the bottom and sides. I put some 2-part epoxy glue behind the wrap from the top, and I then taped the top. The Saran Wrap then peeled away nicely leaving a shiny surface (except for a few bubbles).

That would probably not be so good for the roof rack part, but it was nice for that surface.

Regarding the OP's worry about container size, if you don't already have some tubes of epoxy in your drawer of useful miscellaneous things, it is time that you add that. You will find it useful for many things. It has a shelf life after opening of a few years.

Also, don't worry that the tape that JuneBug suggested comes in a roll that has 36 yards when you only need 2 inches of tape. You will find the tape to be useful for other things.

[AndreLaplume]

Originally Posted by Carbon

I had a little dent in the outer edge of a wheel well. I stretched Saran Wrap over the area, and taped the bottom and sides. I put some 2-part epoxy glue behind the wrap from the top, and I then taped the top. The Saran Wrap then peeled away nicely leaving a shiny surface (except for a few bubbles).

That would probably not be so good for the roof rack part, but it was nice for that surface.

Regarding the OP's worry about container size, if you don't already have some tubes of epoxy in your drawer of useful miscellaneous things, it is time that you add that. You will find it useful for many things. It has a shelf life after opening of a few years.

Also, don't worry that the tape that JuneBug suggested comes in a roll that has 36 yards when you only need 2 inches of tape. You will find the tape to be useful for other things.

Thanks guys...I think I have not made clear the part I wish to fix. Its not the roof rack. Its the piece that holds the 3rd rear brake light. In fact the 2 chunks are about 9 " to the left of the light, along the top vertical edge. I am not sure how the epoxy would set itself...I'd think it would be too runny. I can see how a putty type material could be put in place and smoothed off...sort of like spackling a ding in drywall. I am just not sure if I need to get the quart of bondo or if that bondo stuff in the tube will work....it says chips but then the desc sort of leads me to believe it was not made for a chunk the side of a small finger nail.

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by AndreLaplume

Thanks guys...I think I have not made clear the part I wish to fix. Its not the roof rack. Its the piece that holds the 3rd rear brake light. In fact the 2 chunks are about 9 " to the left of the light, along the top vertical edge. I am not sure how the epoxy would set itself...I'd think it would be too runny. I can see how a putty type material could be put in place and smoothed off...sort of like spackling a ding in drywall. I am just not sure if I need to get the quart of bondo or if that bondo stuff in the tube will work....it says chips but then the desc sort of leads me to believe it was not made for a chunk the side of a small finger nail.

OK, I bought some J-B Water Weld to repair a fuel tank on a mower last year and it worked great. This stuff is like epoxy putty which you mix up by kneading in your hand. It has the consistency of play-doh and you can shape it and sculpt it easily. It doesn't run or sag, dries hard, and is very strong:

http://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-8277-Water/dp/B000BRQ0TW/ref=pd_sim_auto_3

[AndreLaplume]

Originally Posted by AndreLaplume

Thanks guys...I think I have not made clear the part I wish to fix. Its not the roof rack. Its the piece that holds the 3rd rear brake light. In fact the 2 chunks are about 9 " to the left of the light, along the top vertical edge. I am not sure how the epoxy would set itself...I'd think it would be too runny. I can see how a putty type material could be put in place and smoothed off...sort of like spackling a ding in drywall. I am just not sure if I need to get the quart of bondo or if that bondo stuff in the tube will work....it says chips but then the desc sort of leads me to believe it was not made for a chunk the side of a small finger nail.

I got this! I played around with it on a piece of plastic quarter round moulding that had a chip. I found it a bit hard to work with...sticky. Any tips on how to force it into the missing chunk and smooth it out.