Auto Body Putty Filler Explained: When and Why to Use It

Your car is more than just a machine taking you from one location to another. Daily driving, minor bumps, and simple wear and tear can leave dents, scratches, and uneven surfaces on your ride that ruin its beautiful appearance. While these issues may seem minor at the beginning, ignoring them can lead to bigger problems and costly repairs later.

This is where auto body putty filler plays a pivotal role. It is used in car body repairs to smooth out damaged spots before painting, helping restore your vehicle’s factory-finished look. Many car owners aren't fully aware of this repair step, even though it is essential for achieving a clean, professional finish. In this blog, we will explain what auto body putty filler is, when it should be used, and why it matters for maintaining your car’s appearance and value.

What is Auto Body Putty Filler?

Auto body putty filler is a versatile, polyester-based compound used to repair minor dents, scratches, and imperfections on vehicle bodies, creating a smooth, even surface for painting. This two-part mix of putty and hardener fills gaps, levels irregularities, and adheres to metal, allowing for easy shaping and sanding for a smooth finish. There are different types of body fillers, such as standard, medium-grade (fiberglass), and premium (aluminum) fillers. There are also glazing/spot putty and plastic putty.

When to Use Auto Body Putty Filler?

You can use auto body putty in four situations, which are as follows.

Minor Surface Imperfections

You should use putty to fix small scratches, pinholes, or stone chips. 

Final Smoothing (Skim Coat)

Apply a thin skim coat of glazing putty over sanded body filler. It ensures the remaining sanding marks are filled and leaves an even surface for priming. 

Sanding Scratch Correction

Putty is ideal to fill 80-grit sanding scratches that might otherwise show through the paint.

Large Surface Leveling

You can use the specialized spray putty to swiftly level large areas or complex shapes with a uniform, non-porous layer.

Why Use Auto Body Putty Filler?

If you ask why to use auto body putty, the following are the reasons behind it.

Smoothing Imperfections

Putty effectively fills tiny pinholes, sanding scratches, stone chips, and shallow surface waves.

Superior Finish Quality

Putty has a much finer texture compared to filler and seamlessly blends in with the surrounding paint to stay hidden beneath the topcoat. 

Ease of Workability

Specialized putties are meant to spread and sand easily, reducing the time and labor required for the final preparation stages.

Material Flexibility

Some putties, especially plastic and polyester ones, are designed to absorb vibrations and temperature fluctuations without cracking or peeling. 

Strong Adhesion

Quality putties bond tightly to metal, fiberglass, and rigid plastics, ensuring long-term repair stability. 

Minimized Shrinkage

Advanced putty formulas evenly cure and shrink minimally. It keeps the surface stable and prevents old dents from reappearing after a paint job. 

Auto body putty filler is an instrumental tool for car owners. You should always keep it in your car to fix minor scratches and dents. If you are planning to buy this putty, come to Superior Exotics Color and Paint, a reputable auto body shop and supplies provider. We have high-quality putties for your car. Visit our shop and buy putties at affordable prices. 

The Ultimate Experience Davie Body Shop: What You Need to Know

Most people drop their cars off at a body shop and only want a result that will satisfy them. You may have a demand for a service that includes a fresh coat of paint and cleaning of the car's panels. But what happens before the repair is done? Inside a Davie body shop, there is a system that keeps working long before any tool or paint touches the car. There is an interesting behind-the-scenes process where the real task begins.

The First Task: To Diagnose the Damage

Before any repair, the technician will walk around your car to assess it from different angles. The alignment of the panels is checked, and hidden dents are found. Then there are scans for structural shifts, where the inspection actually begins. The main aim is to create a blueprint for your car, without which the repair would only be a wild guess. Therefore, a good car shop will never start working blindly, but will have a structured plan.

The Second Task: Planning the Repair Strategy

Each car has its own different needs. A few of them need light sanding, while others require a mild reshaping. A few other vehicles may need minor corrections before the application of the paint. This is where a technician enters the picture, for mapping out the steps and choosing the right materials. They plan the workflow that is to be implemented for your cars and ensure that mistakes are prevented.

The Third Task: Disassembly of the Parts 

In order to repair a specified section of the car, its parts are removed. This includes the headlights, trim pieces, door handles, and all the other small to big parts. The details matter here because leaving them in place would only create an uneven space for the paint or spray to be applied. You have to remember that precision comes from patience. The disassembly is a major step in the process that adds to the car’s longevity.

The Fourth Task: Resetting the Surface

The car has to act like a clean canvas. This is the step where sanding removes the old coating. It smoothens the scratches and creates a better surface for the new paint to bond to. This is a crucial stage that determines how long the finish will last. Good preparation ensures a good surface for the paint to settle onto.

The Fifth Task: Test the Color Match

This step involves the technicians mixing and matching the different shades of a color to find the perfect shade. The application of the color is studied before it is applied to your cars, under different conditions. The paint must look better both indoors and outdoors. The primary goal is simple: to make the repair invisible.

Having a Clean Room Condition

The temperature, dust, and humidity may affect the outcome of the work. This is why most Davie body shop have their own controlled environments where the testing takes place. The cleaner the room is, the Smoother is the final result. A good finish and the paint tends to thrive in the right kind of environment, which is not just because of the surface, but also due to the environment.

Reassembling the Parts and Fine-Tuning

Although this can be considered the final step, it primarily falls under the fifth task. Once the paint starts settling down, the parts that were removed earlier are put back together with precision. Car panels line up with the edges to be even. The car may look seamless from a different angle, with the final stage being more polished and perfect.

Recognising Quality Craftsmanship

What you notice at the end comes from the hours of behind-the-scenes work. There is careful planning, detailed preparation, and correction of various materials that are used. This is what describes dedicated craftsmanship. The beauty of a repair lies in the small steps that you often tend to overlook.

If you want a repair that is done right from start to finish, choose the best team that respects every stage of this process. At Superior Exotics Color and Paint, we offer premium supplies that help body shops deliver long-lasting and flawless results. Start your journey for the best repair for your car with industry expertise and tools. Visit us to know more about body shop repairs. 

Car Cleaner Solution 101 - Top Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Their Cars

Every car owner wants their car to look pristine and sparkling, but they make common car cleaning errors that make it difficult to leave the car looking showroom-ready after a cleaning session. You might be making them too if you haven’t achieved a sparkling car even after thoroughly cleaning it. These simple mistakes not only make your car look old or worn-out, but they can also cause serious, long-term damage to the interior body, the metal paintwork, and lead to your car losing its market value. You keep your car spick and span, not just for aesthetics but also to preserve its value.  Improper cleaning methods can leave swirl marks, dull your auto paint, leave sticky residues, and cause your upholstery to degrade, due to mistakes ranging from using the wrong Car Cleaner Solution to the wrong cleaning techniques or supplies. Although doing your own car cleaning might be satisfying to you, many car owners make blunders that result in long-term damage. 

Read this blog to steer clear of these mistakes during DIY car cleaning to keep your car in top condition. 

Using Non-Auto Cleaning Products

Avoid using harsh cleaners since they can dry out plastic and rubber trim, harm the clear coat, and peel wax. Also, avoid glass cleaners that include ammonia because they might damage the window tints. For cleaning the exterior and car wheels, always use pH-neutral cleansers made specifically for cars. 

Washing Your Car in Direct Sunlight

We know you might like taking your car out on your lawn or driveway while giving it a good wash, but it’s absolutely inadvisable according to car experts. The heat of the sun reduces the effectiveness of cleaning products, and also washing your car under the sun leads to rapid drying of water and soap, leaving stubborn water spots, streaks, and a hazy finish on the car.  Always wash your car in the shade, preferably while the temperature is cooler outside.  

Skipping the Pre-Wash Rinse

You might be asking, you're already giving your car a wash, what's the need for a pre-rinse? Well, when scrubbing your car, dry dirt, dust, and coarse grit behave like sandpaper and leave swirl patterns and scratches on the metal body. To lower the risk of scratches, you should always start your car cleaning session with a thorough pre-rinse from top to bottom to loosen and wash away dirt and dust that can harm your car’s metal bodywork. 

Using Too Much Wax or Polish

Overuse of the after-wash products, such as wax, polish, or dressing, sometimes results in ugly product sling on the paint, foggy residue, and sticky surfaces that cause dust to stick to your car’s exterior. When applying car waxes or polishes, always apply thin, even coats, buffing away excess right away. For dressings, put a small amount on an applicator pad and wipe evenly to give your car a just off the showroom look. 

Using Dirty Cleaning Supplies 

If you use unclean cleaning tools and supplies, your car paint will be scratched by brushes that are either embedded with dirt or contain abrasive fibers. Use clean, good-quality microfiber towels and wash mitts every time you’re cleaning your car, even if you’re giving it a quick wiped own. Also, always use specialized car cleaning brushes for wheels and soft brushes for interiors, if you can. And, make sure that all of your car washing supplies are kept well-maintained. 

Although washing your car can appear straightforward and easy, it's one of those jobs where a few simple mistakes can do more harm to your vehicle. Avoid these mistakes to keep your car looking good for years to come when you DIY car cleaning. If you want to add that just-detailed and years of shine to your car, you can ask the experts at Superior Exotics Color and Paint.

Know the Right Way to Prepare Paints with Paint Preparation Supplies: Avoid Common Mistakes

A good paint job requires good preparation. Most of the time, people overlook small details when they aim for a smooth finish. Here is a truth: there are problems like peeling, bubbling, and uneven texture that can occur before the paint comes out of the can. This is why choosing the right paint preparation supplies is more important than choosing the right color for the surface.

According to the professionals, the secret to a flawless finish is the preparation time that we provide for the paint. In this blog, we will learn about the possible mistakes and areas that we can avoid, knowing how to prep the paint in a better manner.

Common Mistakes that Everyone Makes

Most people want a fast, final result, but do not end up with a professional finish. The problem is not the paint, but the poor preparation. They skip the important steps to examine the car and realize later when the paint dries. The mistakes turn into an expensive preparation for the second time. 

Mistake 1: Clean with the Right products

It is not soap and water that removes the excess oil or prints from a car’s surface. Invisible layers can stop the paint from sticking to the surface. These layers must be eliminated and cleaned before applying the paint. Using proper degreasers can help in removing the contaminants for a great final result.

Mistake 2: Light Sanding

Most people think light sanding will be enough, but it is not. Some tiny chips and scratches show through the final coating. Therefore, using the correct sanding method helps create a texture that the paint can hold onto.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Remove the Dust from the Surface

The dust sits on the surface of the tools inside the workspace. When these tools are mixed with the new paint, they create a drag and bump. It is important to remove the dust and then use the paint on a surface. So what can you do? Gently rub off the surface and then allow the paint to settle.

Mistake 4: Skipping Primer and Masking

Clean lines matter, and a good technique would prevent the overspray, smudge, and excess paint. These techniques will just add to the small details, creating a bigger impact. Similarly, a primer is not just optional. It helps in evening out the surface while strengthening and bringing out the color.

Without the primer and proper masking, the paint will fade faster and chip more easily. Therefore,  the foundation that leads to a lasting finish. 

How Does Prepping Save Your Money?

Good preparation can reduce the chances of error and help avoid excessive expenditure on future work. You can avoid redoing the layers and wasting the paint by being a little careful. Invest the time into the right measures of prepping the paint and avoid common mistakes. 

Do you have a clear idea of the mistakes that you can make and ruin the paint? If not, then this blog is your guide to understanding the dos and don’ts.  Get an appropriate supply and expertise from Superior Exotics Color and Paint. We help you build a perfect base for a smooth and durable finish. Start the journey of quality preparation with the tools and techniques, and get results that leave you surprised.

Why Paint a Car at an Expert Auto Body Shop Davie?

Regularly painting a car helps maintain its shine and protects the underlying metal from environmental exposure. It ultimately contributes to a longer lifespan for the vehicle and helps preserve its market value. But should you visit just any auto body shop Davie for a paint job? No way!

You should always go to a reputable auto body shop like Set Color 24 for auto paint services. Why so? That’s just what we are going to tell you in this blog. We are about to reveal what expert shops offer that ordinary shops don’t. So, stay tuned till the end. 

Choose Professional Shops for Auto Painting

There is more than one reason to take your vehicle to a reputable auto shop for a paint job. Keep reading, and you will learn them one by one.  

Expertise and Training

Technicians at a reputable auto shop undergo rigorous training and have years of experience working on various models. It enables them to efficiently handle complex paint jobs and body work that your car may require. They understand the intricacies of different vehicles and ensure the paintwork and repair meet industry standards and specifications. 

Superior Color Matching

Achieving a seamless color match is one of the most difficult aspects of auto painting. Professional shops utilize advanced, computerized color-matching technology, high-quality paint systems, and premium automotive or factory-approved paints to ensure the car’s original finish. As a result, no one can tell if your vehicle has been repainted. 

High-Quality Materials and Equipment

One of the major characteristics of reputable auto shops is their state-of-the-art tools, proper ventilation systems, and paint booths that efficiently prevent debris and dust from affecting the finish. Moreover, such auto shops use high-quality primers, paints, and clear coats that offer superior shine and protection against UV rays, chemicals, and chipping. 

Meticulous Preparation Process

Preparation work plays a crucial role in determining the quality of the paint job. Technicians at reputable auto shops perform proper surface cleaning, sanding, and priming to ensure a seamless finish and long-lasting results. In a regular auto shop, preparation work might get rushed, leading to paint peeling or bubbling later. 

Warranties

If you are going to a reputable auto body shop, you are very likely to receive warranties on paint and bodywork. So, you have peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong with the paint job, you can get it fixed for free from the auto shop. 

Safety and Compliance

Professional auto shops are well-versed in all legal and environmental regulations related to auto paint applications. They ensure that all the work performed complies with safety and environmental standards. 

Time and Efficiency

A DIY job might seem quicker at first glance, but a professional shop can complete the job faster and more efficiently. How so? It saves you a significant amount of time to learn and execute specific paint techniques on your car.

We are Superior Exotics Color and Paint, a reputable auto body shop in Davie, serving car owners with the best of our capabilities. From high-quality paint materials and equipment to a team of skilled technicians and state-of-the-art technology, we have everything and can restore your car’s factory-fresh spark. Contact us now and book your affordable, high-quality auto paint services.