TOP 15 best putties for cars: rating 2021-2022 and which mixture is better to choose for finishing a car

Putty is used not only during finishing work in apartments or houses, but also when repairing cars. Applying such a product allows you to hide all defects and uneven surfaces so that the paint lies evenly on the body and does not crack or peel off over time. The result of further painting directly depends on the quality of the chosen putty.

What criteria should you pay attention to when choosing a product? Which brand of putty should you prefer? We will try to answer these questions in the article, and a list of basic characteristics and a rating of the best putties for cars according to the 2021-2022 version will help you choose the most suitable product.

Rating of the TOP 15 best putties for cars for 2021-2022

Useful tips

In order to be satisfied with the work done by yourself, here are some tips:

• It is necessary to paint in a moderately warm room, where there are no drafts. If there is a draft, there will undoubtedly be sand and dust on the parts to be painted, which will significantly complicate the work.
• Regardless of whether the new bumper needs to be painted or the old one, it must be washed and degreased. If you do not degrease, the grease film will not allow it to stick firmly to the plastic and very quickly the new paint will crack and burst.
• For degreasing you need wet and dry wipes.
• Do not use a hair dryer to speed up the drying of applied layers of primer, paint and varnish. Drying naturally is better.
• Read the instructions and recommendations for working with varnish and paint. So, as a rule, it contains useful information, especially for beginners.
• If a leak suddenly appears, it must be removed. Clean the area with moisture-resistant sandpaper and polish.

1. Repairing the reverse sensor: where is the regulator located and how to replace it yourself?
2. DIY rear brake light repair
3. How to repair a radar detector with your own hands
4. Repairing a plastic bumper with your own hands: tips and tricks

How to choose putty for a car and what to look for?

Modern manufacturers produce several types of automotive putties, which differ in technical and operational characteristics.

First of all, the type of product is determined:

• Coarse-grained ones are used to mask minor defects so that parts of the body become smoother.
• Fine-grained , or finishing products , are considered universal, as they are suitable not only for masking small irregularities, but also for final leveling of the surface before painting.
• Putties with fiberglass are characterized by increased strength, long service life and versatility, because they can be applied to almost any surface.
• Liquid putty is considered universal, but is limited in functionality. It is intended only for final leveling of the rough putty layer.

When choosing a putty, you should also pay attention to its adhesion so that the product adheres well to the surface and does not crack over time. The consistency of the product is also important, because it determines the uniformity and ease of application.

Putty quality

The quality of the putty is influenced by the quality of its components. Putties from different manufacturers may use different quality binder polymers, different sizes of talc particles and quartz microspheres, and may also contain various chemical additives. The quality of the putty can determine the ease of its application, sanding, whether the sanding paper will clog, the presence of pores after hardening, as well as the degree of shrinkage. A good putty should have excellent adhesion to the surface and minimal shrinkage after complete hardening.

TOP 3 best putties for cars by price/quality for 2021-2022

Car repairs are always expensive, but this does not mean that you need to skimp on the quality of putty. In the lines of many trusted brands there are compositions that qualitatively level the body of the car, but at the same time are affordable.

NOVOL UNI 0.5 kg

This universal putty is designed for leveling metal surfaces and filling cracks.

and other cavities before painting.

The product contains special fillers and additional components that provide high-quality adhesion of the product not only to metal, but also to other surfaces, such as concrete, wood and some plastics. But it should be taken into account that the product does not adhere well to galvanized steel.

The product comes in paste form, making it easy to apply. The putty can be used at any time of the year, but you need to work with the product quickly, as it hardens quickly already at +20 degrees. The buyer should also take into account that the putty cannot boast of increased elasticity. Due to this feature, the product is used only for restoring small areas of the body.

Specifications:

• purpose - universal;
• application time up to 6 minutes;
• shelf life 3 years.

pros

• reasonable price;
• fits well and evenly on a deformed surface;
• Hardener is included in the kit;
• supplied in a container with a sealed lid;
• Suitable for wood and concrete.

Minuses

• low elasticity;
• not suitable for processing galvanized steel.

HB BODY PRO F250 Bodyfiber 0.25 kg

One of the best putties on the market today. The mixture is two-component and contains polyester filler.

and fiberglass. Due to this, the product can be used not only to mask minor defects, but also to fill large depressions and even through holes.

The balanced composition of the putty allows it to be used for repairing corroded car bodies. After application and drying, the putty layer becomes perfectly smooth, which ensures high-quality painting.

To ensure that the fresh paint is of truly high quality and does not differ from the rest of the body color, the manufacturer recommends sanding the surface with sandpaper. Another advantage of the product is its increased elasticity, due to which the user can easily disguise any unevenness. The finished coating is durable, does not crack and is not subject to mechanical damage.

Specifications:

• type - with fiberglass;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 1 year.

pros

• low price;
• applies easily and evenly;
• just sand the dried coating;
• you can mask defects of any size;
• does not have an unpleasant odor.

Minuses

• ends quickly;
• not intended for long-term storage.

NOVOL PLUS 720 yellow 1 kg

A two-component polyester table will help improve the quality of work when repairing a car. Balanced composition

The product provides high-quality masking of irregularities and elimination of small and large defects.

The product also has filling properties, which allows it to be used to eliminate large holes and cavities before painting the body. The composition of the product also allows the resin to be used to treat rust-covered areas of the body.

The putty is supplied in a metal can with a sealed lid. Thanks to this, the user can use the required small amount of the product, and then simply close the package and store the putty in a cool, dark room for 2 years. The consistency of the product is quite thick, so applying it by hand is very easy, even if you need to create a thin leveling layer.

Specifications:

• purpose - filling;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 15 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• increased elasticity;
• easy to apply and dries quickly;
• perfectly fills holes and depressions;
• Hardener is included in the kit;
• does not have an unpleasant odor.

Minuses

• some users think the price is too high;
• You often come across crumpled cans.

Surface preparation

At the first stage, it is necessary to prepare the surface for subsequent processing. To do this, thoroughly clean the car from dirt and dust and examine its surface for the presence of protruding bumps (putty is not able to hide such serious defects). If there is a raised bump, press the surface of the bump slightly and make sure that it does not return to its original position after applying the leveling compound.

Puttying these types of areas requires special skills, so it is better to contact a specialized center to fix the problem. If you nevertheless decide to putty the car body with your own hands, then you need to remove the protrusion as carefully as possible, especially for subsequent partial painting of the surface.

Next, you need to remove the top paint layer and rust using coarse sandpaper to ensure a more reliable fixation of the putty. Removal of paint should only be carried out on the putty area, and it is advisable not to touch the nearest surface.

Important! We recommend cleaning the surface from the paint until clean, shiny metal appears.

TOP 3 best putties for bumpers

There are special putties on the automotive market that are designed to mask defects on a car bumper. Three products were recognized as the best in this category in 2021-2022.

HB BODY PRO F222 Bampersoft 0.25 kg

This polyester putty is supplied complete with a hardener and is used to level the surface and

masking scratches, chips and other bumper irregularities.

Since the composition is fine-grained, it perfectly hides small defects, but is easy to apply. The product is plastic, therefore it is evenly distributed over the surface, and after drying the coating acquires increased strength, resistance to mechanical damage and cracking.

The finished coating is ideal for infrared drying, and since there are no pores on the surface, the paint lays perfectly smooth. Another feature of the product is that it can be used both as a filler and as a putty to apply a thin leveling layer. However, the user should be prepared for the fact that the putty quickly thickens and dries out in the open air, so you need to work with it quickly.

Specifications:

• type - fine-grained;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 1 year.

pros

• Ideal for leveling bumpers;
• good adhesion to plastic;
• dries quickly;
• perfectly masks scratches and chips;
• increased plasticity.

Minuses

• small packaging volume;
• not always on sale.

NOVOL BUMPER FIX 0.2 kg

This putty was specially created for leveling metal and plastic surfaces. Since the remedy

It is quite plastic and elastic, it is easy to apply and evenly distributed over the surface.

After drying, the coating becomes quite smooth, so it practically does not need sanding. In addition, the dried layer of putty is resistant to mechanical damage and does not crack during operation.

The putty also boasts a fairly high level of adhesion, so it can be applied even to rusty surfaces and parts that are not coated with a primer. This significantly speeds up the process of preparing the bumper for further painting.

In this case, the user should be prepared for the fact that work can only be carried out in warm rooms with a temperature not lower than +10 degrees, and hardening at +20 degrees takes no more than 8 minutes.

Specifications:

• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 8 minutes;
• shelf life 3 years.

pros

• hardener included;
• sufficient level of elasticity;
• affordable cost;
• forms a perfectly durable surface;
• long shelf life.

Minuses

• not always on sale;
• not suitable for Teflon.

HB BODY PRO F220 Bodyfine 0.25 kg

Using this fine-grained polyester putty, the coating for painting can be brought to a perfectly smooth state.

Since the particles of the product are small, it perfectly masks minor defects and scratches. Putty is not suitable for large parts. After drying, the coating becomes perfectly smooth and without pores, and practically does not need sanding, so you can start painting immediately after the putty has completely dried.

Due to its increased adhesion properties, the putty adheres well to almost any surface. Thanks to this feature, the product can be applied even to unprepared surfaces without a primer layer. The user can be sure that the coating will not begin to peel or crack during vehicle operation.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• supplied complete with hardener;
• perfectly masks small irregularities;
• short drying period;
• long shelf life
• the finished coating is simply sanded.

Minuses

• has an unpleasant odor;
• not always on sale.

How to choose

To choose the right putty for a car bumper, you need to determine how it will be used in the future. For plastic parts use:

• Finishing mixtures. They provide a dense, non-porous coating that is easy to sand.
• Universal compositions. They have a medium-sized fraction filler. The surface turns out to be porous, but is polished to a perfectly smooth surface.

Putties have different chemical compositions (polyester, acrylic and epoxy mixtures, nitro putties). The price depends on the type of mixture and brand. Before you buy a product to repair your car, you need to clarify the characteristics and nuances of applying the mass.

TOP 3 best putties for cars against rust

It is not always possible to thoroughly prepare the surface to be treated and clean it from rust. In this case, in order not to delay the repair process, you should give preference to putties that are intended for application specifically to corroded surfaces.

NOVOL ALU 0.25 kg

Unlike other products on the market, this putty contains modified aluminum dust. She's the one

gives the product excellent plastic and thermal properties.

Another feature of the product is that it can be used to level and seal holes not only on the hood, but also on moving parts of the car, such as the trunk or engine. The user can be sure that the coating will not be damaged or crack, since the putty has increased resistance to temperature changes.

The unique formulation of the product allows it to be used for various metal coatings, including aluminum and galvanized. The product is available in the form of a ready-to-use mixture, which simply needs to be applied to a cleaned and grease-free surface with a regular spatula.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• reasonable price;
• suitable for long-term storage;
• the finished coating can be sanded perfectly;
• evenly and easily applied;
• dries quickly.

Minuses

• The lid of the jar does not close tightly;
• It hardens too quickly, so you need to work quickly.

HB BODY PRO F211 Bodysoft 0.25 kg

This polyester putty is considered universal, as it is suitable not only for metal, but also for wood.

surfaces, as well as for some plastic products.

The mixture is completely ready for use, but it is better to apply it to a previously degreased surface to improve adhesion properties. The putty perfectly fills pores and minor surface irregularities, so the finished coating practically does not need sanding before painting.

A hardener is included with the product, which allows you to shorten the work time and begin painting almost immediately after applying the putty. Despite its versatility, putty must not be applied to single-component and thermoplastic materials, as the mixture may damage their integrity.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• low price with decent quality;
• The kit includes a hardener;
• fits perfectly and is easily leveled with a spatula;
• just sand with regular abrasive paper;
• dries quickly and forms a surface of increased strength.

Minuses

• dries a little longer than the time stated in the instructions;
• Often you come across products without a hardener included.

CHAMALEON 504 0.25 kg

This putty contains aluminum, which makes the product universal. With its help you can eliminate

only small chips and scratches, but also deep surface irregularities. After drying, the coating demonstrates increased mechanical strength, resistance to accidental impacts and cracking.

The putty can also be applied to those parts of the car that are located close to the engine, because the balanced composition of the product is resistant to sudden temperature changes.

The mixture also boasts increased plasticity. Due to this indicator, the product is easily applied to any surface, and to create an even and thin layer, it is enough to distribute it with a spatula. It should be taken into account that all work must be carried out as quickly as possible, since in a warm environment (at a temperature of +20 degrees) the drying time of the putty is only 5 minutes.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• hardener included;
• can be applied to engine parts;
• high resistance to mechanical damage;
• the finished coating does not crack;
• long shelf life.

Minuses

• the lid of the jar does not always close tightly;
• hard to find on sale.

Drying automotive putty

Drying of putty can be done both in natural conditions and with the help of infrared lamps. The heating temperature during this procedure usually varies from 60 to 80 degrees. Although in some cases the manufacturer declares a maximum value reaching 100 degrees. You must not forget about the need to dry the treated surface (after “wet” grinding).

Both manufacturers and consumers of these products are bothered by fine dust that occurs during manipulations of processing the hardened coating with sandpaper, to avoid the appearance of which, as well as to prevent clogging of the sanding tool, “wet” processing is used, which involves moistening with water. However, the presented option has a serious drawback: the porous structure of the putty swells when saturated with liquid.

When purchasing some mixtures, you should avoid wetting, because this process can increase the drying time and change the initial volume. We must not forget that if the surface is poorly dried, moisture will, after a certain time, lead to corrosion and lag in the paint composition. In this regard, before carrying out putty work, you need to refer to the instructions and find out which method of processing the material (dry or wet) is best to use in a particular case.

TOP 3 best one-component putties for cars

If the car body was coated with one-component products and requires additional putty and further painting, one-component mixtures should be chosen.

HB BODY PRO P980 Nitro green 0.15 kg

With this filler you can easily correct minor defects and damage to metal

car body.
The product is one-component and belongs to fine-grained compositions. Due to this consistency, the preparation is easily and evenly distributed over the surface and, if necessary, allows you to create the thinnest and most even layer of leveling coating.
The putty has a bright green color, so the user will clearly see which areas have been applied and which remain untreated. It should also be taken into account that the product dries very quickly, so you need to work with putty as quickly as possible.

After drying, the surface turns out to be perfectly flat and smooth, so you can start painting even without prior priming.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• reliable and time-tested brand;
• affordable cost;
• easy and convenient to apply;
• dries very quickly;
• does not become covered with cracks.

Minuses

• has a very strong and unpleasant odor;
• Sometimes it shrinks a lot.

NOVOL 1K red 100 ml

This one-component putty is available in a convenient tube, so the user will not have any difficulty in squeezing out what he needs.

amount of product per surface to be treated.

Additionally, the product has excellent adhesion properties and increased elasticity, so spreading it in a thin layer is not difficult. The product is designed to fill minor scratches, scuffs and other surface imperfections that could degrade the quality of the finished paint job.

The putty is characterized by increased viscosity and elasticity. Thanks to this, it efficiently fills surface unevenness and forms a perfectly smooth and durable coating with virtually no pores. These properties of the putty allow you to start painting the body immediately after the layer has dried, without using a primer to improve the adhesion properties of the putty.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• convenient tube for easy application;
• long shelf life;
• dries quickly;
• evenly distributed over the surface;
• reasonable price.

Minuses

• has an unpleasant odor;
• Not suitable for all surfaces.

HB BODY Nitrosoft 241 0.75 kg

Despite the fact that this nitrocellulose one-component putty comes in a small jar, it is enough for

processing small scratches, chips and other body defects.

After drying, the product forms a smooth, even and durable surface without pores, so you can start painting almost immediately, without treating the body with an additional layer of primer. The putty itself is painted red, which allows you to accurately control the area where the drug is applied. Subsequently, the dried layer of putty can be painted with paint of any shade.

The finished coating is extremely durable. This applies not only to scratches and mechanical damage, but also to sudden temperature changes, so putty can be safely used to treat parts located near the engine. It should also be taken into account that when applied in a thick layer, the finished coating may shrink.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• high drying speed;
• easy to apply and evenly distributed;
• just sand with regular abrasive paper;
• perfectly masks unevenness;
• easy to spread in a thin layer.

Minuses

• very pungent and unpleasant odor;
• costs more than analogues.

Sandblasting nozzle

In order to make an attachment for a Karcher sink with your own hands, you need to have the following elements:

• nozzle;
• trigger;
• reinforced hose;
• dispenser

Sandblasting nozzle for Karcher

You should also purchase a special ceramic nozzle if you plan to use it constantly. Due to frequent use of abrasive material, a metal analogue can quickly become unusable. The ceramic option will last much longer.

Now, regarding the nozzle. This is, in fact, the basis of the nozzle for any type of sandblasting, not only when using a Karcher washing unit. Making a nozzle with your own hands is quite difficult, but still possible. To do this, you need to select a metal rod with a diameter of at least 15 mm and saw it from the middle. But since this is quite problematic, it is better to just buy a good nozzle. The operation of the entire nozzle depends on the quality of this component.

The hose must be at least 2 meters long and must be reinforced. This is due to the fact that the abrasive material, in this case sand, will quickly render an ordinary hose unusable.

You can assemble the nozzle by following this algorithm:

• a ceramic or metal nozzle is attached to the nozzle via a thread;
• on the other side of the nozzle, a hose is installed using a clamp and fitting;
• A dispenser is attached to the end of the ceramic nozzle.

Please note that all joints between parts must be sealed. You can seal them using a special fum tape.

To save sand, you can use a tank with a grate. To do this you will need a reinforced hose. Its beginning should be attached to a container with water and abrasive material. The end should go into a tray to collect waste sand. Thus, you can significantly save sand consumption.

With the help of such a simple device, you can thoroughly and quickly clean almost any surface, even after severe rust damage.

Nozzle for sandblasting machine

TOP 3 best two-component putties for cars

Special putties have been created for two-component automotive coatings that allow you to efficiently level the surface and mask all defects.

NOVOL FIBER 0.6 kg

This automotive putty contains glass fibers, which increase the strength of the finished coating. As a result

dried putty is resistant to mechanical damage, but at the same time it is well leveled and easy to apply.

In addition, the composition perfectly fills any unevenness, so it can be used to successfully mask almost any surface defects, but it should be borne in mind that the product is not suitable for treating large surfaces.

The elasticity of the working solution is average, and given the short drying period, you should work with putty as quickly as possible. After drying, the coating practically does not need sanding, but if it needs to be leveled, you can use regular sandpaper.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - with fiberglass;
• application time up to 8 minutes;
• shelf life 3 years.

pros

• reliable and proven putty;
• fits perfectly;
• dries quickly;
• not afraid of moisture;
• does not require primer treatment.

Minuses

• hardens very quickly;
• Not suitable for all surfaces.

HB BODY PRO F220 Bodyfine 0.25 kg

This fine-grained polyester putty has all the necessary characteristics for

automotive finishing works.

The composition of the product is balanced and is intended to correct minor defects and surface irregularities. The putty is intended for metal surfaces, but it can also be applied to other materials, since the components of the product do not react chemically with them.

To ensure that the finished coating is of truly high quality and does not crack over time, the putty should be applied to a cleaned and degreased surface. The product comes in a jar with an airtight lid, so you can use only a small amount at a time and leave the rest for storage.

Specifications:

• purpose - finishing;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 730 days.

pros

• reasonable price;
• easy application;
• effectively hides unevenness;
• dries quickly;
• After drying it forms a durable coating.

Minuses

• sometimes the kit does not have enough hardener;
• Not suitable for all materials.

UNIVERSAL universal JETAPRO 5540/0.5 kg

A universal polyester putty, which is available in cans of different sizes, so the consumer can easily

select the volume of packaging depending on the goals and scope of work.

The balanced composition makes the finished product truly durable, so the parts are not afraid of accidental impacts and mechanical damage. In addition, the mixture is easy to apply and process, and when applied in a thin layer, the coating does not even require additional sanding.

Another feature of the product is that it can be used not only to mask minor defects, but also to eliminate global damage to the body. The product has good adhesion and adhesive properties, so it can be applied to almost any surface.

Specifications:

• purpose - universal;
• base - polyesters;
• application time up to 5 minutes;
• shelf life 18 months.

pros

• versatility of use;
• low price;
• dries quickly and is easy to apply;
• evenly distributed over the surface;
• packaging with a sealed lid.

Minuses

• poor adhesion to soil;
• not always on sale.

Finishing putties

Finishing materials marked “Fein” or “Finish” are used for finishing putty. They have an extremely flexible creamy texture, are easy to apply and have minimal porosity. They are used to eliminate the slightest irregularities, scratches, and microscopic cavities. Finishing mixtures are applied in the thinnest layer - its maximum thickness is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. Putties intended for finishing work have high elasticity and are easy to sand.

Liquid automotive putty, which is applied by spraying, is successfully used as a finishing touch on large areas. It is designated on the packaging as “Spray”; it fills uneven areas well and does not leave pores after drying and sanding.

Which company should you choose?

There are quite a lot of manufacturers of car putties, but in 2021-2022, users and experts have identified several manufacturers whose products are of the highest quality.

The ranking of the best manufacturers of automotive putties included NOVOL, HB BODY PRO, CHAMALEON and UNIVERSAL. We included the most successful products from these manufacturers in the rating.

Material characteristics

Putty for cars is a two-component mass, which includes polyester resin and a special filler. In order for these 2 components to be filled in the correct consistency, manufacturers dilute this mass in styrene. Resin gives it strength and elasticity. Metal powder, talc, chalk or fiberglass are most often used as fillers for automotive putty. The degree of shrinkage of this substance on the car body depends on how correctly all the components were mixed in the mass.