Would an aluminium bonnet rust?

[Leicesterdave]

As in your average stone chipped bonnet- but it's made of aluminium. Will it take a fair bit longer to corrode than steel?

[thinfourth2]

You not too hot on this whole "rust" concept

[skilly1]

I would say it would take a whole lot longer to rust

[GreigM]

rust, no - corrode, yes

[Prof Prolapse]

Yes, I've often wondered how much water it would take to turn Aluminium into Iron.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Leicesterdave said:

As in your average stone chipped bonnet- but it's made of aluminium. Will it take a fair bit longer to corrode than steel?

a fair bit longer yes

[Herman Toothrot]

It won't oxidise at all from stone chips, more likely get a bit round the fastners that will likely be steel. Can be avoided simply by greasing them.

[Carfiend]

No it won't rust because it is not a ferrous metal.

[DannyVTS]

thinfourth2 said:

You not too hot on this whole "rust" concept

[HellDiver]

No. Unless it's a Land-Rover, then yes.

[Leicesterdave]

So in effect "touching them up isn't really required?

[Carfiend]

Apart from having big chips in the bonnet you mean?

[LooneyTunes]

Prof Prolapse said:

Yes, I've often wondered how much water it would take to turn Aluminium into Iron.

If it can be done, could you then transmutate the iron into gold and buy a new bonnet with the proceeds?

[blueg33]

GreigM said:

rust, no - corrode, yes

Not necessarily, aluminium oxide creates a barrier to oxyge thus preventing further oxidisation. Anodised alumium is at its basic level a baked on coat of aluminium oxide which prevents further oxidisation.

Rust is a term applied normally to iron oxide and is the product of the oxidisation of the iron element of steel.

(If I am wrong I apologise, I am remembering back to O level chemistry)

[Defcon5]

Leicesterdave said:

So in effect "touching them up isn't really required?

I have had a chip in mine down to the metal for years, no issues. I just never got round to fixing it!

[Leicesterdave]

Good to know- the car in question is a Lupo GTI and has a few chips on the bonnet. But no risk of rust is great news. I **think* the doors and wings are aluminium too.

[Defcon5]

Yes they are.

Look for corrosion along the roof gutters, this should be covered by VW corrosion warranty, and bubbling under the spoiler and around the boot handle, which are not covered by VW

[flemke]

Leicesterdave said:

So in effect "touching them up isn't really required?

You're saying that stone chips in the paint have exposed the raw metal?
The issues are that you don't want moisture to get under the paint, and, separately, you don't want salt and other road bacteria to get to the aluminium. If metal is exposed, touch up the chips with something that will seal off the underlying materials.

[GAjon]

The old Rover P6 range (2000, 2200 & 3500) had Aluminium bonnet and boot. They obviously dont rust, but, the paint didn't seem to key well and if chipped would peel off.
Modern paint systems may work better.

[supersingle]

Anyone who thinks ally doesn't corrode needs to see the brake calipers off a Suzuki that's been used over a winter. The bloody things turn to dust!