markg Posted November 17, 2002 Posted November 17, 2002 is there anything available that will adhere to ally panels or do i have to etch prime them first Quote
Blatman Posted November 18, 2002 Posted November 18, 2002 Are you wanting to apply underseal to the outside floor of the car? If so, why? The ally won't corrode, so all you do is add weight and complication. My 1989 vintage narrow body has uncoated panels, and whilst they are a little dull, they are in sound structural condition. OTOH, if you are after that 100% all year round pristine finish, then what sort of finish are you after? Gloss, matt, rubbery, or what? Quote
Jon Murray Posted November 18, 2002 Posted November 18, 2002 Blatters, I was of the belief that the ally floor panels will corrode (oxidise to white Aluminium Oxide) quite badly if subjected to road salt? I see from another post that you rigourously clean yours after a blast when the roads have been gritted, maybee this is why your car's floor panels are still structurally sound? Or have I got it all wrong?? Jon Quote
Blatman Posted November 18, 2002 Posted November 18, 2002 Nope, although I'm helping you to confuse my two cars. The rigorously cleaned road car (the green one in the avatar) is not only cleaned well, but has the benefit of having had ALL the aluminium panels powder coated........However, the 1989 car that I mention is my old narrow bodied sprint car. It doesn't do much in the winter any more, BUT it was a road car for about 3 years, and was used in all weathers. I didn't clean it as rigorously, but it was ALWAYS wiped down after a salty blast, because, as you say, road salt and aluminium don't mix well at all.................. There is a little bit of marking on the underside of the floor, but you can't see it unless you're under there fixing something more serious.........Coated/painted or not, though, cleaning after a winter blast is essential, but if you're after a concours looking car at all times, then a coating if some sort will be easier to maintain. What type of coating/look/durability/reason for wanting coating is what I'd like to know, so that we can advise appropriately.......... Quote
Jon Murray Posted November 19, 2002 Posted November 19, 2002 Blatters, Fair enough mate! Mark, Over to you then, but I would have thought that a lightweight coating would be the preffered choice, most of us spend a lot of time and often money in the quest for less weight and therefore more bhp/tonne. I like the sound of Blatters powder coated panels, the coating thickness is probably measured in microns, and although this sound like an excellent solution, I would image it's an expensive process. I have seen threads on here over the months where people recommend a good coat of Duck Oil to the underside for the winter motoring months. This sounds lightweight and cost effective, but you may need ramps / pit to apply it properly? Rubber coat (made by Carlife, I think) is often used by people to line the inside of their rear wheel arches and front cycle wings to prevent star cracking from flying chippings - however this would not be suitable in my opinion due to the weight involved, a tin of the stuff weighs a heck of a lot - I know, I carried a couple of tins around a kit car show for three hours (lesson learned there then ) Or to totally contradict what I said earlier, how about applying, er... nothing. I found this "cutting" on a chemistry type web site: "Pure aluminium exposed to air indeed oxidises very rapidly. But (by another kindness of Nature?) the resulting layer of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) adheres very strongly to the metal's surface, protecting it from further corrosion - unlike iron, whose rust (oxidised iron) peels off, exposing fresh iron to oxidisation." Thoughts anybody ??... Quote
CateringVan Posted November 19, 2002 Posted November 19, 2002 A coating of waxoyl ought to help, it will repel the water and therefore the salt and you can always clean it off and put some fresh on every couple of years. Quote
hilux Posted November 19, 2002 Posted November 19, 2002 Seconded Waxoyl, cheap can be brushed on or sprayed and repels water. Finnegans (waxoyl makers) also do a brush on underseal. You takes yer choice Hilux Quote
markg Posted November 19, 2002 Author Posted November 19, 2002 was just thinking of some sort of protection for the alloy panels ! jon murray mentioned something about ally oxidising and it got me thinking thats all! but thanks for all the replies will probably give them a thin coat of waxoyl ! btw jon shocks and brakes now fitted, thanks again Quote
Jon Murray Posted November 20, 2002 Posted November 20, 2002 My pleasure Mark, I'm glad your happy with them. I will try and get you set up on the SEiGHT mailing list today. Regards, Jon Quote
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