Tried a new two-part epoxy filler on a rocker panel and it was a total disaster

I had a 2012 Silverado in the shop last Tuesday with some rust repair needed on the driver side rocker. The supplier was out of my usual stuff, so they pushed this new 'fast-cure' epoxy filler. Mixed it exactly like the sheet said, 1:1 ratio, and started working. It kicked off in maybe three minutes flat, right in the middle of the panel. I was still trying to shape it and it just turned into a rock-hard lump. Had to grind the whole mess off, which took an hour and wrecked the new metal I'd welded in. Now I'm back to square one and out the cost of the material. Has anyone else had a filler cure way faster than advertised, and what brand do you actually trust for bigger repairs?

3 comments

3 Comments

jana_lewis8724d ago

Ever try that SpeedFix brand? I swore by quick stuff until a summer job made me wait for the good slow-cure filler. Nothing beats the extra working time when it's warm out.

ward.piper24d ago

Nah, I'll take the fast stuff any day. Can't stand waiting around for things to set up.

ruby5612d ago

Ugh, that's the worst. I'm totally with you on this. Those fast-cure fillers are a trap for anything bigger than a pinhole. I had the same thing happen with a quarter panel patch, it set up while I was still getting it out of the cup. For real bodywork, I only use the slowest hardener I can find now. That extra time to spread and shape it right saves so much grinding and cussing later.