| Author |
Message |
Ray Olson (Ray) (216.43.213.97)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 11:30 am: | |
I have a 4104 that had been painted over the anodized aluminum down to the tops of the luggage compartments by the previous owner and in order to get the paint to stick, the panels were lightly sandblasted. I know this because I just had the entire bus soda blasted to get all the paint off. I am under the assumption that when an aluminum panel is anodized, the anodizing is put onto the panel and if that panel is sandblasted, the anodizing comes off. Am I correct in thinking this? Can these body panels that have been sandblasted be buffed to any degree so that they look close to original? |
Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa) (64.154.102.62)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 12:22 pm: | |
When I was in the Navy we had lockers made of aluminum, we kept them polished with gov't issue metal polish and they shined like chrome. A few months ago there was a post on here about polishing a stainless body on a coach and several people told their methods that were successful. I've done some metal polishing and would start with 400 grit then go to 1000 grit auto body wet or dry, then go to the polish. Auto body shops that use urethane clear coat use a polish that puts a glass like shine on clearcoat that works very well on steel for me it is: 3M Perfect-It Foam Polishing Pad Glaze (Part No. 051131-05996) It is made to work on a random orbit DA type sander/polisher with a special foam pad. The last quart I bought was about $25.00 and that was two years ago. I have also used it, successfully, on plastic ATV fender scratches with a buffing pad, they looked like new fenders when I finished. It is available at most automotive supply stores that sell paint. (NAPA etc.) Aluminum polishes faster than steel, and a lot faster than stainless. A coat of urethane clear coat when finished should last as long as on a car.(years) I use urethane clearcoat also and it is not cheap. Buying enough to do a coach would probably get you a bulk discount. I buy it by the quart, about $35 to $40. HTH Later, Ed. |
Chris (157.130.118.2)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 8:44 am: | |
If you do decide to use clearcoat, check around to make sure the brand and type you're using isn't too prone to yellowing. Eventually, anything will yellow a bit on bare metal, but some stay clear longer than others. |
Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa) (65.58.210.154)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 10:02 am: | |
Good point Chris, I forgot to mention that. There are two types of clearcoat one has an amber tint to it and the other is called crystal clear clearcoat. Also the stuff I use is a two part, you have to mix a hardener with it and once mixed only has a shelf life of about 2 hrs. at 70 deg.
Later Ed. |
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