Aluminium body panel corrosion

[hbwold]

I own a Caterham Roadsport and it has the un-painted aluminium body panels. It seems to have lots of white dots all over which I believe is corrosion as it won't polish off. It's also worse around the area's most exposed to road grime/salt. I just wanted to ask what was the best way to remove this corrosion and stop future corrosion?

Also there are still outline's of the old stickers which I have removed, what's the best way to remove these outlines? Just a lot of elbow grease?! Thanks.

[hbwold]

• *bump***

[Murph7355]

I'm not sure that you'll ever get rid of it properly without reskinning.

From memory on blatchat, Mothers is one of the preferred polishing agents for ali. You might be better off asking over there...

[OJ]

Just posted this on another thread, but try Autosol, it'll take you a weekend, but it DOES get the pitting off, leaving you with a mirror finish.

I've tried loads of products and its the only one thats worked

[OJ]

Also, to prevent it in future, either keep polishing it to keep it mirror, keep it sprayed/wiped with WD40. You'll lose the lustre but the pitting wont reoccur

[hbwold]

Thanks for the replies, will try some of those products and see how they go

[Fat Arnie]

You will find this is worst in the areas alongside the footwell, as dirt and moisture gets trapped between the footwells and the outer skins.

This causes corrosion on the lower chassis tubes, which if left can get serious.

The fix is simple, but you need to be a little bold.

You need to removed the front suspension first, but you can simply remove the side skins back as far as the link in the body side by drilling out (3/16" bit) all the rivetts at the top and bottom and front of the panel.

This will leave you with enough access to clean things out and more importantly rub down and repaint (POR15 is best) the chassis rails where corroded.

I am certain this method will recieve criticism, but the vast majority of Caterham owners have not seen a stripped chassis let alone stripped and repaneeled it themselves as I have.

The corrosion you see is electrolytic and started on the inside. The inside is the only place to fix it.

Replacement side panels are around £150 each if you wnat to replace them, and as the weld is pretty much hidden, and half ocmpetent aliminium welder can join them on to the 1/4 panels ahead of the rear wheel arch.

Good luck!

[Irrotational]

In terms of cosmetics on the outside I use Belgom Alu, which was another product rated a lot on Blatchat...This works ok but does take a lot of elbow grease...ive not used the other products but people who had said Belgom was best...

I might try some others to see....

I got a brand new bonnet that wasnt very shiny and even after 6-7 polishing sessions its still not that much shinier than when i got it - certainly not mirror finish...