Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

[*EdC*]

Guys,
My old Merc motor has an aluminum wrap-around cover with some dings in it. I'd like to fill these and repaint. Should I be looking for any specific type of filler? Also, the cover flexes a bit when it goes on and when taken off. Should that matter

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

Hi Ed, you might have a hard time with that depending on where the dents are and how big they are. Body fillers are usually flexable, but those covers bend a lot, especially at the back. What motor do you have? How big / deep are the dents?

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

If you are unable to fill them satisfactorily there is the AOMCI, antique outboard motor guys with lots of parts available. Google them.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

Hi Ed, you might have a hard time with that depending on where the dents are and how big they are. Body fillers are usually flexable, but those covers bend a lot, especially at the back. What motor do you have? How big / deep are the dents?

Thanks Archbuilder,
Here's a pic, Dings are not too big, nor very deep. The cover is off a '69 Merc 800. My main concern is getting a good bond. If I find an appropriate filler, I'll grind out the dings. But for now the paint is acting like a filler. New decals will cover them, so I want to avoid having the filler pop out.

Thanks for your reply

PS Been following your project... Nice job!

 

[woosterken]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

edc,
could you try and tap them out, from the inside?
like body work on a car,put a dolly block on the out side and tap lightly on the in side

i think , you said it flexes, the the heat and cold of the aluminum mite make the filler break loose and trash your decals!!

woosterken

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

i think , you said it flexes, the the heat and cold of the aluminum mite make the filler break loose and trash your decals!!

woosterken

Ken,
Awww.. good point. Never thought expansion and contraction would be a concern. Hopefully, someone more knowledgeable than I, can help me out. The dings are rather shallow. I wounder if a couple of coats of high build primer might help

 

[SKIBUM1M]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

There is no filler I know of that will flex enough for that. I have the same thing on mine. Put flat metal behind and tap them out. if you dont feel comforttable take it to a bodyshop. I bet they wont charge but 20$ or so to tap them out for you.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

Bondo will stick, as long as you rough it up with 36 grit, we used it on aluminum heavy truck body work all the time. I would still be concerned about it popping loose. I wonder if you could get it pretty close to flat, then fill in any imperfections with some epoxy and sand it out?

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

Thanks guys...
Your comments are most helpful. I did tap most of them out, but still have some minor imperfections. I'm not going to be super particular about it. But before I abandon the idea, I thought I'd check out what the aircraft guys do. I did find a couple of possible fillers that might just work. Here are a few links. I'm leaning towards a flexible epoxy. I looked at Marine Tex but it's too rigid for this application. Any thoughts on these items? Again , THANKS I do appreciate your inputs.....


http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/dentfiller.php

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/fillbondsherwin.php

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/usc-all-metal-premium-aluminum-filled-auto-body-filler-p-14787.aspx

 

[Bondo]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

but still have some minor imperfections.

Ayuh,... A Hi-build sandable Primer might do what you're lookin' to accomplish,...

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Body filler for Merc wrap-around cover?

Ayuh,... A Hi-build sandable Primer might do what you're lookin' to accomplish,...

Thanks Bond-o.... I was thinking along the same lines...

I will prep and etch with acetic acid and then, should I .......

A. ZC it, then Hi-build it
OR
B. Skip the ZC, just Hi-build

Thanks for the help!