Just at the stage of thinking about the ali sheet I'll need for sides/rear. I'm not quite sure what to ask for when ordering though. I'm after the sort of 'brushed' effect as opposed that with a mirror like surface.
Is one a 'standard' type and the other something unusual in which case which way round. Also, is it just called 'brushed' or is there a proper name for it?

Dumb question I know- nothing unusual there then!

Cheers,

James

Can't answer that one, but do get it with the plastic coating on both sides, bit of protection from scratches, and you can draw on it with a marker pen! Mine is just regular shiny stuff.

I got a company in Kent to deliver, I think it was about £100 for 3 sheets. Let me know if you need their number and I'll try and find the receipt.

Don't know if ali comes in a brushed effect, but I know how to make it.

Scotchbright

Good stuff. If you can get hold of the round discs that you stick on the end of a drill all the better as it saves a lot of elbow grease. but a couple of minutes wizzing about the panel will dull the surface a little and produce a nice brush effect.

The only downer would be the reduction in the ali's natural coating to protect itself agains corrosion, as by brushing it you tend to rub it off.

If you can't get hold of some give me a shout and I'll grab a couple for you from work!

Chris

James, the trouble is with 'brushed' is that you may end up buying more than you would actually need to panel the car, due to the fact that even though you have enough ali to panel section 'x', the grain of the brush effect will be in the wrong direction, if you get my drift.

Cheers, Stu.

Chris, thank you for the offer- most kind of you. I think I've seen it for sale around here but will contact you if not!
Good point about the corrosion- presumably one could apply some sort of spray on laquer or something...?

Stu, the cost of style over function- when will I learn!

Cheers Jasper, will bear it in mind if college don't want to be helpful!

James

You can also use green scouring pads of the type that i think women use for washing dishes, not really found that a good use but they are good for polishing alloy.
Paul.

quote:

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Originally posted by flyingkiwi
Don't know if ali comes in a brushed effect, but I know how to make it.

Scotchbright

Good stuff. If you can get hold of the round discs that you stick on the end of a drill all the better as it saves a lot of elbow grease. but a couple of minutes wizzing about the panel will dull the surface a little and produce a nice brush effect.

The only downer would be the reduction in the ali's natural coating to protect itself agains corrosion, as by brushing it you tend to rub it off.

If you can't get hold of some give me a shout and I'll grab a couple for you from work!

Chris

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wow

sexism.

they work for guys as well!

but not me, I have a dish washer.

atb

Steve

If you use the fine grade of 3M/Scotchbrite disc with a backing pad in a drill, the brushed effect will be random, therefore, it won't matter about having to orientate the sheets as you would with proprietry uni-directional pre-brushed sheets.
Plain or polished AL sheet will show up every little scratch and blemish, whereas the brushed finish won't to the same degree.
The surface will self-harden in a short period of time too, though an application of laquer or wax will help to protect it.

The kind you use on cellulose paint before you T cut and wax. It's a bit like valve grinding paste and is applied in straight lines unlike the T cut which goes in small circles. You would avoid the problem of lines in different directions if you treat the panels after the car is built and you have the option of changing your mind.

yours, Pete.