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protecting the aluminium bodywork

peterparsons - 30/4/08 at 11:59 AM

before my car leaves the garage and is exposed to the elements. does the aluminium body panels need coating with some sort of protection to stop them discolouring ?

nitram38 - 30/4/08 at 12:04 PM

All bare aluminium will oxidise, so you have a few choices:

1) Leave it
2) Leave it and polish regularly
3) Paint or Laquer
4) Anodize it (will cost quite a bit, panels need to be off car and dipped in large vats, if you can find someone with a big enough vat too!)

Mr Whippy - 30/4/08 at 12:06 PM

polish it with good car polish as per a painted car, don't take it out on salted roads.

Any spray on coating is going to peel off.

My Falcons bonnet was bare ali and was a lot of work to keep shiny, wouldn't do that again.

[Edited on 30/4/08 by Mr Whippy]

02GF74 - 30/4/08 at 12:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy

Any spray on coating is going to peel off.

the laquer on my bonnet is still there after 1 year

alistairolsen - 30/4/08 at 01:01 PM

If I go alloy bodywork id like to paint it. Surely with a proper etch primer it hould be ok? or does it simply flex too much to hold a coloured paint coat?

Bluemoon - 30/4/08 at 01:02 PM

02GF74,

What type of lacquer did you use??

Dan

RazMan - 30/4/08 at 01:11 PM

As Mr W says, using a good wax polish will help but a good laquer should also work, although it will never quite have the same shine as bare ally.

If you decide to paint it, use a good etch primer and then a normal automotive paint on top.

Mr Whippy - 30/4/08 at 01:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy

Any spray on coating is going to peel off.

the laquer on my bonnet is still there after 1 year

oh it usually lasts 2 then comes off in great sheets like SAAB's do

02GF74 - 30/4/08 at 01:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Bluemoon
02GF74,

What type of lacquer did you use??

It is pre-mixed laquer from the paint shop that is used as top coat for metallic paint. I can get the name off the tin but not surprisinlgy don't have it with me at work

I diluted it 50/50 with cellulose and sprayed on a thin coat; really just to seal the aluminium. Being on a bonnet means that it flexes, especially when the bonnet is removed/replaced but has not cracked nor peeled off, even over the exhaust area. I mixed in a tiny amount of black paint to make it a bit darker but not quite enough for the effect I was trying.

There are a couple of patches where it has rubbed off due to being in contact with a tarp/bungee but that is hardly the laquers fault ; I really should get round to making a small tent to keep the tarp off but somehow there is always something more important/interesting ......

[Edited on 30/4/08 by 02GF74]

locoboy - 30/4/08 at 07:19 PM

I know all about your frustrations!

This was my 1st car and it took lots of tlc to keep it like this as it was stored outside all year round.

F271

Alloy Wheel

360