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Filler Finder
Simple tool for finding metal body damage and rust
It's been said that rust never sleeps so—unless it's completely removed—it will continue to eat up good sheetmetal until it's no longer salvageable. Not surprisingly, some repair facilities fix rusted out areas by simply patching the spot with body filler and paint. The same holds true for damage resulting from a collision. It's a lot quicker to use filler than to take the time to pull the panel and handwork the metal.
Yet body filler is not a desirable addition to any collector car. Unfortunately, many buyers are not experienced enough to spot a filler repair, do not do a thorough inspection and consequently pay too much for the vehicle. A handy way to find hidden body filler is with a magnet. Wherever there is filler, the magnet loses power and will not stick to the material beneath. The thicker the filler, the weaker the magnet, to the point it actually falls from the panel that's being inspected.
Wise car enthusiasts always take along a magnet when looking at a prospective purchase. It's really the only way to find out if the vehicle has had collision damaged and been improperly repaired. This handy little item is available at automotive specialty shops and paint and body-supply outlets. It not only finds areas with filler, it also approximates how thick the filler is. Check it out.
- Solid Metal
This magnet has a sliding case that is held to the metal surface by the tip of the magnet. As you pull the magnet back, the top of the clear case slides along a 1/8-inch scale. The farther you can pull the magnet back, the more real sheetmetal is in that spot. The tip of the magnet doesn't contact the paint so you don't have to worry about scratches—and you can go around the complete vehicle taking several samples from each panel. This demonstration shows the magnet pulled out past the #10 mark, which indicates solid metal at that spot.
- Filler Found
We moved to the rear quarter panel, which has a poorly repaired area above the rear wheelwell. We put the magnet on the paint above the area that had been repaired and it clearly indicates that this panel contains filler above the primer. It's relatively thick in this area under the paint since the magnet holds to the #8 mark. This indicates approximately 1/4-inch of filler. That's a lot—and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better in the damaged area below. Filler this thick will eventually break apart over time leaving spider web cracks in the surface paint.
- Craters
Craters, usually caused by gas bubbles inside the filler that have burst, left these telltale holes on the surface. Here we can detect at least a 1/16-inch of filler at this point. If this area had been totally filled, sanded smooth and painted over, it would be hard to find a repair, even with filler this deep. This is the prime reason for examining the surface with a magnet. The only other way is to rub your hand up underneath the wheelwell and feel the non-repaired damage from the backside. Unfortunately, if it's a door or enclosed fender, this is impossible to do without some disassembly.
- In the Thick
Inspecting the area just above the wheelwell lip proved interesting. The magnet only pulled out to the #4 position before letting go of the surface. That indicates approximately 1/2-inch of filler in this area. As it turns out, this area rusted completely through the sheetmetal and the entire hole was packed with filler all along the leading edge. This type of rust damage is common in cars living in the rust belt areas of the country or near the ocean immerged in salt air. The only cure for this problem is to cut the affected areas out and weld in a patch panel. Imagine yourself this vehicle's new owner and finding this disguised damage in your rear quarter panel. The seller usually denies, denies and denies some more.
- Old Rusty
Here you see some old rust erupting through the filler and primer. As we moved around the edge of the wheelwell lip, the filler depth started to diminish until it was a mere #8 reading, or only about 1/4-inch deep. Seeing the rust spot bubbling up was the giveaway as to the condition of the rest of the area. So now you see the value of thoroughly inspecting the surface before purchasing a vehicle and how a simple little tool can save you thousands in repair dollars. If you can't find a filler finder like this one, a strong magnet wrapped in light cloth will work nicely and not damage the paint finish.
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