Living a self-sufficient life means more than just growing our own food and making herbal remedies. It’s about facing the challenges that come our way with a DIY mindset, especially when the budget is tight. Every extra dollar we can save on repairs is a dollar that goes into our daughter Eva’s school fund, so if we can fix something ourselves for half the cost, you can bet we’re going to try.
This past weekend, I dove into the world of auto body repair. Rebecca’s car had a small rust spot on the wheel well that, over time, had grown into a hole and then a crack that was larger than I was comfortable with. So, with a bit of determination and a lot of YouTube tutorials, I set out to patch it up.
The project was a lesson in humility and practicality. I learned that yes, I can patch a hole. It’s not the prettiest repair, and given more time, I probably could have smoothed it out better, but it’s solid, sealed, and safe. That peace of mind is worth more than a perfect finish. I also learned that if I ever find myself looking for a new line of work, a career in auto body is probably not in my future! But hey, the hole is patched, and that’s a win.
Feeling emboldened by my success, I decided to tackle another long-standing issue: the broken radio in my Jeep. It had been silent for months, and I found a video that seemed to offer a simple fix. Unlike the car patch, however, this project did not go as planned. In a puff of smoke and a small, contained fire, my hopes of a quick repair were dashed. So, I am still without a working radio. If anyone has suggestions for a reliable and affordable replacement (sub-$100), I would be very grateful to hear them!
It’s all part of the journey. Some projects are a success, and others end up a bit… fiery. But each one is a learning experience, a step toward greater self-reliance, and a story to tell.
For anyone interested in tackling a similar rust repair, here is a list of the materials I used for the patch job. Below that are a few pictures of the process—the good, the bad, and the solidly patched!
Materials:
Bondo Bondo-Hair Long Strand Fiberglass Reinforced Filler
Bondo Metal Reinforced Filler – High Strength Filler
Rust-Oleum 248658 Stops Rust Reformer Spray Paint
Frienda Body Filler Spreaders Plastic Tools
FixBuild Drywall Repair Kit
Rocaris 6 Pack Carbon Steel Wire Wheel
Ryobi Orbital Sander
100 Grit Sanding Disc
RJ Homestead 
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