ali body

[hodgson4711]

hi, a couple of questions. 1 ali bodys i know don't rust but they do corrode do i rub them down and fill with filler as on metal cars, it would be to difficult for me to replace the panels. 2 i want to paint my m/home bodywork. i read somewhere that i could use a silk household paint, using mini rollers. is this right? regards dave

[hodgson4711]

surely someone can advise me on this

[ake]

Silk household paint is emulsion, that won't work, however Gloss paint suitable for metal outside will work

[noobrider]

Or my personal favourite...Rustoleum....see my thread for details

[Breakdown Biker]

surely someone can advise me on this

The lack of response might be a reflection on the fact that ali panels can be a right b!tch to repair well.
I agree with noobrider so far as paintings concerned,
these links will give you loads of info on Rustoleum http://scottishvanners.50.forumer.com/v ... f=45&t=316

I've had a wee bit experience in trying to tidy up ali panels on an old Land Rover and a mates old motorhome, but not with great success
I found that normal filler will not stay permenantly and will crack around the edges on ali panels coz they flex much more than steel.
I ended up covering the corroded areas on the Landy with ali chequer plate that was fixed with rivets and sealer
We cleaned the area with a wire brush, and painted it with underseal before fitting the plates on top. It actually looked quite smart when it was done

The motor home was more difficult.....
It had a wee bit of damage to a rear 1/4 and corrosion on the leading edges of the accomodation, just behind the cab.
For the rear 1/4 we were able to replace the lower section by removing the old one carefully, and using it as a template to cut out a sheet of ali.We cut straight across from the wheel arch back to the corner with a wee grinder and removed the trim round the edges of the frame. Then drilled out the rivets and prised the panel away which was well stuck with sealer.
When we cut out the new panel, we left an inch extra at the top of the panel, so it could be tucked under the upper part when fitting.
The insulation behind was damp, so had to be replaced
The frame was cleaned and we fitted the panel using sealer (silkaflex, I think) all round the frame and riveted back.
The tucked under bit was plastered with sealer and we made sure the rivets there, were covered with sealer too. tbh it didn't look that pretty but once it was painted with hammerirte white it looked ok
The tuck was a bit of a bitch where it met up with the frame coz the trim wouldn't fit back over it properly, so we had to cut it off at that bit.

The leading edges were covered by cutting a couple of 2" strips of ali sheet and fitting them just behind the trim like i did on the landy using plenty sealer again. My mate also replace the trim with some ali angle.

Hope this helps ya mate

[urbtaf]

I used to work in rust prevention back in the 70s, and one of the basic rules ignored in van building was that different metals should never make direct contact.
Put steel and alloy together add damp, a little heat and a lovely electrolitic reaction will start, rotting the alloy.
Use of plastic washers, sheet, sleeved bolts, good quality paints can solve the problem.
As for filling alloy then I think there is a super flexy filler that you can use, never used it myself so its only hearsay!!