Corroded Aluminium

[Landlover99]

Hi all,
On this County 110 I bought recently, there are some areas of severe corrosion on the panelwork. For the most part these are localised and I need to decide what to do about them. Getting new skins is out of the question as I want to keep the bodywork and its signature decals as original as possible. The panels are all nice and straight and if I go for new skins it might suggest it's had knocks (in addition to destroying the originality). So I need to deal with these patches on a limited basis. Localised blow-ins spring to mind here, since something must be done about them and once the whole body is T-Cut (it polishes-up well believe it or not!) they should blend in okay. But FIRST I thought I'd check-in with you guys to see if there's a better alternative?
Thanks,
LL

 

[ER1C]

Funny logic.

Its not corrosion

 

[miktdish]

What you have there is a rash of alluminium oxidisation. What you can see is the white alluminium oxide that has formed and that is providing a protective layer on the bare aluminum surface.
Your example has gone a bit far and will have likely caused some pitting.

You can remove it using a fine wire brush followed by some wire wool until you have a clean alloy surface. Then paint with an etching primer and then with the top coat paint layers.
Yes you may be able to match the colour (looks like Arles Blue).

If the alluminium is left to oxidise too much or there is contact with steel (especially if water is involved) then you get galvanic corrosion which if left long enough eats the alluminium away. If you see that on the outside it can be very difficult to irradicate as it has come through the skin ... the bottom edges of the doors are a classic example, as is where the alluminium bodywork is sandwiched between steel brackets, ie where the seatbelts meet the floor.

 

[Landlover99]

"come through the skin"? So there's basically nothing I can do to arrest this, then? I really want to keep those skins above all else, but you're saying it's coming through from underneath?

 

[doriz]

"come through the skin"? So there's basically nothing I can do to arrest this, then? I really want to keep those skins above all else, but you're saying it's coming through from underneath?

Anywhere you have the ally next to steel you get the oxidation. If you reskin the doors, cover the steel frame with Harry Black Maskers, or gaffer tape first.

 

[miktdish]

"come through the skin"? So there's basically nothing I can do to arrest this, then? I really want to keep those skins above all else, but you're saying it's coming through from underneath?

If it has come through the skin, no, the alluminium has oxidised away into thin air. It's gone. It's passed us by and is on it's way to peace eternal, it's bereft of life and can best be described as ex-alluminium-num-num.

Rub down the effected area with some emery paper, then use a mail to scratch away any pitted area to see it there is any clean alluminium

Have a peek behind the seats where the seatbelt reel is anchored to the floor ....
Here's a picture of how mine looked ..

This is the bracket that is inderneath the floor ....

https://yrmit.co.uk/product/seatbelt-to-anchor-for-interia-reel-hdg-defender-2-or-3-door/

Much more important, in my opinion, than a bit of oxidisation on the bonnet or door skin.

 

[doriz]

I’ll post a picture of my C post tomorrow, or should I say where my C post should’ve been.

 

[Landlover99]

Ah, well. I'm of an age where we didn't wear seatbelts. I'm also into classic cars where if your pride and joy is over a certain age, it need not have seat belts fitted. So I'm still riding around (perfectly legally) with no seat belt. Think about it: people on scooters and motorbikes don't have any such protection; ain't no biggie.

 

[miktdish]

Your 110 was registered before 1965 ?

 

[ER1C]

Ah, well. I'm of an age where we didn't wear seatbelts. I'm also into classic cars where if your pride and joy is over a certain age, it need not have seat belts fitted. So I'm still riding around (perfectly legally) with no seat belt. Think about it: people on scooters and motorbikes don't have any such protection; ain't no biggie.

Keep it up chap.......With these one line nuggets of wisdom you could become the next messiah soon enough.

FYI its widely accepted the belt stops you

a. slamming into the inside of the car in the event of an accident
b. propelling yourself outside of the secure cage of the vehicle and through the windscreen in the event of an accident... usually the squisshy hooman hits something harder and dies.

With a motorcycle a belt is literally pinning you to the heavy machine with zero protection in the event of an accident ensuring you and the several hundred kg machine happily pirouette over the tarmac, into the tree. Not to mention strapped to the fuel source as well. In most circumstances......... ALL its a VERY bad idea..

 

[tottot]

When my old Honda 125 caught fire as I was riding along [ things got rather hot down below] I was glad to do a quick bail out.

 

[doriz]

I’ll post a picture of my C post tomorrow, or should I say where my C post should’ve been.

Caught in time. Where the steel meets the ally it will get gaffer taped.

 

[doriz]

The YRM replacement parts are steel, the end cap is ally and the new profile sits next to the body so further risk of oxidisation.