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Aluminium side panels - brushed finish
Humbug - 2/5/06 at 06:30 AM

The side panels on my car were looking a bit manky - sort of pitted, although it looked more like something corrosive has landed on the surface and affected it. In fact, this side was less affected than the other side.

I got a 3M Metal finishing pad (like scouring cloth material (c. £2 from Homebase), and gave it a once over dry, then wet (with water), then washed it off. I think it looks 10x better now, as I was never going to get a polished finish back.

[Edited on 02.05.2006 by Humbug] Rescued attachment 2006-04-29 1 ST side panel before and after brushing.jpg
Rescued attachment 2006-04-29 1 ST side panel before and after brushing.jpg

Confused but excited. - 2/5/06 at 11:32 AM

The only problem with a brushed finish, is that the surface will oxidise much, much, quicker than a polished one

Jeffers_S13 - 2/5/06 at 12:15 PM

You could seal the surface with ordinary car wax polish though ?

skidude88 - 26/5/06 at 10:03 AM

Hi Humbug

How did you get on protecting the Ali?

Ive just had a brushed ali dash facing made up, and damn its easy to mark.

Anyone any tips on how best to protect it.

I know theres been lots of threads regarding Ali finishing, but I could only find this one. So rather than start a new thread again, I've posted here.

Cheers,

James.

02GF74 - 26/5/06 at 10:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by skidude88
Hi Humbug

How did you get on protecting the Ali?



answer - go for polished - see my post in here. I was thinking of using lacquer but not sure how well it will stick, you're supposed to use an etch primer before painting ali but that is not transparent.

Waxing and regular cleaning or anodising?

skidude88 - 26/5/06 at 10:16 AM

Typical! now I find a recent "ali polish" thread - missed it before.

johnjulie - 26/5/06 at 10:53 PM

Belgom is the stuff, the more you use it, the better the finish! Helps to protect too.
Cheers J&J

locostv8 - 27/5/06 at 03:41 AM

http://www.zoops.com/zoopseal.asp

I have not used this but have read well of it and plan on using.