what to use?

Doing fair amount of bondo repairs. What's the smaller stuff we use to fill in cracks, etc? Glazing putty? Something else?

 

Yes. And besides bondo, figerglass mat/resin repairs, and glazing putty fills and top coats I've done on car years ago when I was into this, as a challenge, I now carry glazing putty in my tool box to fix dents (some sizeable deep ones that required like 3-4 coats) in steel house/apt. doors before repainting. And it lasts. Have not had any fall out yet.

 

I wouldn't use glazing putty on cracks - they may come back. Save the putty for the minor imperfections you find after the repair is done and the primer is applied.

 

I have been using caulking in a tube after sanding. Sometimes I see a crack line or uneven surface visible. Maybe b/c I did not sand flush enough.
After sanding and before priming is it best to use putty or the tube of silicone to fill in cracks, eneven wood surfaces that have a visible eneven surface?
My friend says use cauck for everything after sanding flush then prime and paint.
I guess it depends on the circumstance so a couple of ideas would help.
Thank you

 

Peterr, I assume you are talking house repairs and not auto body like the start of this thread.

Painter's putty should be used to fill nail holes in wood, spackling or joint compound if the holes/dents are in drywall. Caulking is for cracks/joints. It is best to prime and sand first, then apply the caulk. When using latex caulk it is best to have a damp rag or sponge handy to gently smooth out your bead of caulk. That will help prevent any ridges on the edge of the caulk. The caulk doesn't require additional priming.

Caulk shrinks a little as it dries which makes it a poor choice for filling holes or low spots.

 

I saw 'retired painter' and without thinking got in the wrong thread - I was talking about the outside of the house, sorry. So, if it isn't a bother could you tell me when putty should be used as opposed to silicone caulking?
I thought you were supposed to sand flush with a sander to bring surfaces even then caulk cracks then prime and finally paint.
The basic problem area for me is sometimes a strip etc might have some very little hairline cracks and wondered if those need putty or silicone cauling in the gun which you can smooth out with your finger.
Then again there is exterior spackling the kind that turns from pink to clear when ready.
Thank you

 

I doubt you want to use a silicone caulk [like G.E. silicone which is not paintable] A siliconized acrylic latex caulk is what you should use - it's paintable

Generally it is better to apply caulking after the wood is primed. That way the raw wood can't dry out the caulking = early failure

I prefer caulking for most everything on the exterior except filling nail holes - putty does a better job. You can fill cracks with putty or exterior spackling but if the wood expands or contracts any, those products are prone to fail. Caulking will flex a little and should hold up longer

 

Thanx a lot for taking the time.
Took me twice but now I've got it. I was caulking before priming so that is the only change I have to make.
Have a colorful day