Is an Aluminium shell worth it?

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Johnc1

I work aircraft sheet metal and I would not have an aluminum body. Even air craft are using more and more composites. If you are a die hard originalist go for it.

I agree - and also if you just love the look and simply have to have it. To each his own, but if the reason you want it because you perceive it as somehow better, the only advantage an alloy body has over composite is that on an authentically constructed, original style build on an original style chassis, it moves the value and prestige up to a different level.

As I said in the other thread, if you slap an aluminum body on a non-original chassis and go with custom and convenience options like a modern powerplant, auto-trans, high back seats and dual roll bars, etc., then all you have is a more expensive, more fragile kit that will cause you grief and stress every time you park it. And other than the curiosity factor, it may only end up being marginally more valuable or desirable, if at all.

But, as said before - if you love the look and that is what you want, let nothing hold you back.

Keep us posted with your decision and all the best.

[FUNFER2]

A polished or raw aluminum body, why can't you lay down a clear coat to protect finish, either in satin or gloss ?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

A polished or raw aluminum body, why can't you lay down a clear coat to protect finish, either in satin or gloss ?

As far as I understand often the clear coat wont stick without a primer (kind of defeats the purpose). Those that do, often turn yellow in UV light.

Then even if you could clear coat... you couldn't scotchbrite it to spot clean it.

So i'll pass

[FUNFER2]

Hum ?
I'm a retired body & paint guy, so I'll ask around.

The purpose of the clearcoat is to protect what ever finish is under it, including a polished or scuffed finish.
So, you wouldn't need to scotchbrite it, treat it like it's paint.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Hum ?
I'm a retired body & paint guy, so I'll ask around.

The purpose of the clearcoat is to protect what ever finish is under it, including a polished or scuffed finish.
So, you wouldn't need to scotchbrite it, treat it like it's paint.

My apologies if I wasn't clear.

Clear-coats don't stick to the raw aluminium well, those that do turn yellow in sunlight, so you'd have a tarnished coloured finish.

If you got a scratch in brushed aluminium, you just hit it with scotchbrite and you'd never know...

However, if you get a scratch in the clear coat you'd find it much harder to "blend" the scratch out either by polishing with a compound or by re-painting with touch up clear-coat.

[brunog66]

Originally Posted by Dimis

My apologies if I wasn't clear.

Clear-coats don't stick to the raw aluminium well, those that do turn yellow in sunlight, so you'd have a tarnished coloured finish.

If you got a scratch in brushed aluminium, you just hit it with scotchbrite and you'd never know...

However, if you get a scratch in the clear coat you'd find it much harder to "blend" the scratch out either by polishing with a compound or by re-painting with touch up clear-coat.

There's a product called Gibbs which I use on all metal and plastic surface. It would protect aluminium and even bronze from bird stains , finger marks and general grime. Luv it.