Ok, opinions requsted please.

Here is my current status.

I've got the chassis stripped down for the ... oh - fourth time now. And I'm almost finished welding in what I believe to be the last of the permanent steel panels. The ali flooring has been cut to size and could be attached now too. Using no rivets, but rather a continuous seam, bonded with 3M VHB tape.

I got a great price on the ali because it has streaks of corroded discoloration across it. It's ugly.

I bought a coating called rust bullet which is similar to POR-15, which is a mettalic grey that looks similar to silver powdercoating. $100/gallon. 1 gallon covers 400sf using 2 coats. It will adhere to literally anything.

Who amongst you would attach the ali floor panel now and then paint the entire thing (but not the bottom side of the ali) with my expensive coating? Or would you ignore the fact that the ali looks crappy, paint the floorless chassis and then attach the floor?

A simple question to be sure, but I am flip-flopping back and forth, second guessing myself and I need your opinions.

Thanks,

Graber

How about looking at it another way, what will the tape bond to best? once you know that - thats the sequence i'd assemble it.

With the Rust Bullet, I think you're OK taping after painting. Adherence to metal seems to be its strong suit. The tape will stick to anything, and ordinarily I'd be concerned only about the paint pulling off.

About your aluminum: How about an acid wash to remove the corrosion and stains, then brushing with a Scotchbrite disc? Might look a little better than "as is".

I've seen stuff at the hardware store for cleaning and deoxidizing aluminum windows, etc., but it may not be available in sunny AZ.

BoL,

Pete

Thanks guys. Thanks alot! 2 opinions in two posts. And those are the same 2 opinions that were fighting in my head!!! arghhh.

What I'll do is this: acid wash the ali, test buff it with orbital and compound. If it still looks shittty, then I'll put it on and paint over it.

Steve