Tried a different filler on a dent and it shrank way more than I expected

I had a small door ding on a silver Honda Civic last week and decided to try a new brand of filler I picked up at the supply house. Mixed it exactly like the instructions said, but after sanding it down the next morning, there was a noticeable dip right in the middle. Ended up having to redo the whole spot with my regular stuff. I learned that some fillers just don't bond or cure the same, especially if you rush the dry time. Has anyone else had a filler shrink on them like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

abbyk101mo ago

Dude it's just a door ding not a restoration.

lee.diana1mo ago

Respectfully, I think it might be more about your technique than the filler itself. I've used a bunch of different brands over the years and shrinkage usually happens when you put it on too thick or don't let it cure long enough. A quick test with a small dab on scrap metal before using it on the car could save you that second round of work.

markm271mo ago

Ngl, the "test on scrap metal" tip is solid advice, but I gotta push back a little on the shrinkage thing. I've been doing this for a long time, and some brands genuinely shrink more than others even when you follow the directions to the letter. The cheap house brand stuff at the auto parts store is notorious for it because they use less resin to cut costs. Even if you lay it on thin and wait the full cure time, you can still see those tiny dips after sanding. A good quality filler like Evercoat or USC will barely shrink at all if you mix it right. Honestly, technique matters a ton, but the product itself plays a big role in the final result.