Ali sheets

[Peter-C]

I've obtained / scrounged some ali panels, they are off local council bin wagons I think. The problems are 1 they are painted and 2 they consist of 2 thin sheets probably 1mm stuck together with sikaflex or an equivalent. I've been told that nitromors will remove the paint but I've tried it and it removes the top layer ok but struggles with the bottom coat. It'll cost a fortune in nitromors to clean it all off. Also when you bend it at a sharp 90 degrees, it cracks on the outside. Large radii as per the rear tube are ok.
So I think I'll be ok for the floor, just paint it black, and the seat rear plate should be ok. Its a shame about the side panels as these have to be bent over at 90 degrees. The panels are approx 3m X 1.5 so would have done the car from front to the rear wheel arch in one go.
Any ideas ?

Cheers


Peter

[HandyAndy]

how about a fine grade sanding machine to remove the paint ? then either buff it up or repaint in your choice of colour

As for cracking when being bent , apply a little heat as you bend the ali, I say...." A little heat" , just to help tease the ali whilst bending is taking place, just a thought

cheers
andy

[Peter-C]

Hi Andy,

I've had a go with a an abrasive flap type thing in a drill and it produces a nice brushed finish but I read somewhere ( could have been the ron champion book ) that it wasn't good to take off the top coat of the aluminium, I guess because its hardened. I'm confused but open to all suggestions !!!

Cheers

Peter

[HandyAndy]

Hi Peter,


I must admit to not knowing about technical aspects of the way Ali is produced,
but, in my bike racing days, all the chassis,s of our race bikes were ali & even after crashing a bike ( fact of life when racing ) we always managed to make the chassis frames come up like new after being gravel rashed,

As the sheets of ali you have will be non structural on the car, I can,t see what harm it would do to get the paint off & buff the ali up, maybe the floor being the only part that needs to "have strength integrity",
Now you know I like a bargain, thats what i,d be doing to make use of the ali you have aquired .

cheers
andy

[Peter-C]

Cheers Andy,

I'm proud to be associated with he who is the bargain hunter !!

Peter

[HandyAndy]

Originally Posted by Powler

Cheers Andy,

I'm proud to be associated with he who is the bargain hunter !!

Peter

"speechless"

have a go at making use of that ali, nothing to lose really, maybe just a little time & elbow grease.......now where can I buy that type of grease

good luck, & let us know how it turns out.

cheers
andy