Hiding grind marks and pits.

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I had trouble finding much about what was best to use to cover up grind marks and imperfections from welds and grind downs.I'm making another seat frame for my jeep and I want to grind some parts of it down smooth. I was wondering if bondo is the best thing to use or if some of you guys have found something better. Thanks,-dave
Reply:What are you grinding the welds with? Flap discs leave a much better finish than hard grinding discs (run cooler too), with practice you can blend a weld out so that it's invisible with flap discs and sanding discs or belts. If the welds free of porosity should be able to go straight to paint for the sort of work you described.
Reply:I've used JB Weld when I need to put a contour on a weld or smooth it out. Sometimes I don't want the weld to show even though a good bead looks fine on its own.  You can smooth it with your finger before it sets up. No sanding needed and it washes off easily while wet. I've used body filler also but like JB Weld better. I expect any epoxy would be the same.
Reply:I also prefer flap discs. They won't gouge anything out unless you make them do it. For filling holes, Bondo will work, but Bondo's Glazing Putty is actually made to do just what you want. Best thing is you can get it most anywhere. Easy on and sands off easily. Sounds like its what you are after.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Originally Posted by hotrodderWhat are you grinding the welds with? Flap discs leave a much better finish than hard grinding discs (run cooler too), with practice you can blend a weld out so that it's invisible with flap discs and sanding discs or belts. If the welds free of porosity should be able to go straight to paint for the sort of work you described.
Reply:Yep flap disk and if I need it I will build up the bead a little to fill pits, It is easier to use a tig and filler to fill the pits with but you can use a mig just turn it down a little.  if the bead is really tall use a grinder and finish up with a flap disk. I can paint right over my welds if I need to.....BrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:Not only are you fellas scholars, you're also gentlemen. Thanks for the help!
Reply:Originally Posted by BruceDDA52  Re: Hiding grind marks and pits.I also prefer flap discs. They won't gouge anything out unless you make them do it. For filling holes, Bondo will work, but Bondo's Glazing Putty is actually made to do just what you want. Best thing is you can get it most anywhere. Easy on and sands off easily. Sounds like its what you are after.(I couldn't get the multi-quote to fly?)I gotta agree, the flap disk and Bondo, or even Glazing Compound. As far as JB Weld goes, this ain't the right app for it.JMHO, (or .02)
Reply:I'll put in another vote for the flap discs!   I do the heavy grinding with a regular abrasive grinding wheel, then finish up with a flap disc if I need a smoother surface than the grinding wheel leaves.I have yet to ever use JB Weld or Bondo to 'fix up' a weld!   To me that's sacrilege!   I have gone over some mig welds with the tig torch to smooth out a bead before though, so I'm not entirely immune to 'cheating'.  LOL.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Unless the grind marks/gouges are really serious, I've had better luck at "cleaning them up" with the flap discs than a solid wheel. If you really want to get fancy, try the coarse scotchbrite pads on a 2" angle die grinder.  I use this a lot for polishing out a stainless weld.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:I just used a flap disc for the first time. That thing is AWESOME! Thanks fellas for the heads up and advice!