Aluminum finish questions

[BrewCityCobra]

About to get started on some preliminary projects as I wait for my kit to arrive and have two quick aluminum questions:

1) I was wondering what people were using to clean up their aluminum elements (like the Dif cover, IRS spindles, and the like) to get a good clean finish. I was looking through EdwardB's build and saw he ultimately clear coated the parts but I wasn't sure what types of abrasives I should be using to get the aluminum prepped ahead of time for a nice satin look. Any products I should be looking at?

2) For the aluminum body panels, are people sending those off to the powder coater right away when they get their kits or should I plan on pre-fitting all those pieces first wit Clecos and then send them off? I guess what I'm asking is how much trimming/fitment is needed before those should go out?

Appreciate all the help.

Thanks!

-Brew

[narly1]

I've heard a lot of good things about using mag wheel (vs oven) cleaner on intake manifolds, etc.

Worth a try on other aluminum parts.

[NiceGuyEddie]

There will be lots of trimming to the aluminum panels before you are ready to have the powercoated. You may even find yourself making a panel or two of your own for a myriad of reasons. Positively don't rivet your panels unless you absolutely need to in order to go to another step.

[Joecobr]

I didn’t have to trim any panels other than one or two slight trims around bad welds. Definitely, you should mock up and drill the panels before any type of coating is applied. I had to make up several small patch panels to cover up holes in the foot box area in particular.

[ggunter]

Not sure where all the trimming comes from. The only body panel I had to trim was the drivers side F panel to trim for the front harness to pass by. All my panels fit perfectly. There are two schools of thought on fitting and powder coating. First, about 90% of the aluminum you cant see when it's all done. It's either carpeted or tucked away under the body. I had all mine done in satin black basically only for corrosion protection because raw aluminum looks cool when its new but a couple years on it and road film and the like it starts looking weathered. You don't have to drill all the holes and fit each panel before powder coating. Just strip it all off the frame and have it powder coated and then assemble as you would. Its easy to tell which panel goes where because of the screw holes will match up with the frame holes. Clecos make life easy for temporary attachment and fitment. Good luck these are fun cars to build.

[v1-vr]

Brew
I used a flap wheel on a grinder
80 grit. Cleaned up the hubs and the third member real nice
Able to get the flashing and cast ridges off no problem Then took a wire brush on a drill and shined up nice. I tried the POR clear on the third member cover and it turned yellow in a few days. No uv protection. Sand blased back to bare aluminum and put on K2 catilized
Works great. There should be a few pic on my build thread

[BrewCityCobra]

There will be lots of trimming to the aluminum panels before you are ready to have the powercoated. You may even find yourself making a panel or two of your own for a myriad of reasons. Positively don't rivet your panels unless you absolutely need to in order to go to another step.

Thanks for the heads up. I suppose it is at least prudent to get the engine bay/firewall/footboxes all in place and ready to go before sending them out to get coated. Was just trying to get a feel for when that step normally takes place in the build.

[BrewCityCobra]

Not sure where all the trimming comes from. The only body panel I had to trim was the drivers side F panel to trim for the front harness to pass by. All my panels fit perfectly. There are two schools of thought on fitting and powder coating. First, about 90% of the aluminum you cant see when it's all done. It's either carpeted or tucked away under the body. I had all mine done in satin black basically only for corrosion protection because raw aluminum looks cool when its new but a couple years on it and road film and the like it starts looking weathered. You don't have to drill all the holes and fit each panel before powder coating. Just strip it all off the frame and have it powder coated and then assemble as you would. Its easy to tell which panel goes where because of the screw holes will match up with the frame holes. Clecos make life easy for temporary attachment and fitment. Good luck these are fun cars to build.

Thanks!

[BrewCityCobra]

Brew
I used a flap wheel on a grinder
80 grit. Cleaned up the hubs and the third member real nice
Able to get the flashing and cast ridges off no problem Then took a wire brush on a drill and shined up nice. I tried the POR clear on the third member cover and it turned yellow in a few days. No uv protection. Sand blased back to bare aluminum and put on K2 catilized
Works great. There should be a few pic on my build thread

Thanks, I'll checked out your build thread - looks good! I will be following.