How to Remove Body Filler?
3 Answers
Prepare a bottle of car paint-specific cleaner. Professional cleaners can not only easily remove small body fillers but also protect the car paint from damage. Spray the specialized cleaner onto the car paint surface and wait for it to slowly penetrate the stains. After a while, wipe it off with a cloth. You can also use dish soap or other alkaline liquids mixed with water to rinse the car body. After cleaning, you will see a shiny car body.
I've found several common methods for handling body filler. For freshly applied filler that hasn't dried yet, simply wipe it off with a clean cloth or paper towel - it's very easy to remove. For hardened filler, you'll need to gradually sand it down using 80-120 grit coarse sandpaper. If the filler layer is particularly thick, first scrape off the surface layer with a putty knife before sanding it smooth. For especially stubborn old filler, I've tried using automotive-specific paint remover or banana oil to soften it - wait a few minutes then scrub with steel wool, which works quite well. Remember to wear a mask when sanding as it generates significant dust. After surface cleaning, always check whether the metal substrate has rusted. Any rust must be removed before reapplying.
The removal of body filler should be handled differently depending on the situation. For filler that hasn't dried completely, wiping it clean with a cloth dipped in thinner will suffice. For cured filler, I prefer to first use a scraper to level the raised parts, then use an angle grinder with a flap disc to save time. If tools aren't available, coarse sandpaper can be used for manual sanding. The key is to wear an N95 mask and goggles, as the dust can significantly impact health. After surface treatment, it's recommended to go over it again with fine sandpaper for a smoother finish. If rust spots are discovered underneath during sanding, they should be promptly treated with rust remover to prevent the new filler from peeling off again.
