Raw Aluminum - who has done it and how does it look?

[MakoGT350]

I know there are plenty of people on here with all sorts of approaches to how they are treating the aluminum panels - but I am looking for those that have left it raw / untreated and I would like to hear from you about how it looks after some time in use and maybe even see a few pics.

I am really leaning towards keeping it raw and letting it weather and get a little hazy with time.

[Presdough]

222118 bare aluminum since 2007. I hit it occasionally with Never Dull and Windex...

[MakoGT350]

222118 bare aluminum since 2007. I hit it occasionally with Never Dull and Windex...

Perfect! Thanks, this is just what I needed to see! (by the way - it looks awesome! Nice!)

[TXJosh]

I sanded mine in long linear runs to get a brushed aluminum look and then used shark hide which is a translucent protective coating. The finish holds from that point in time forward.

[Stangrob]

I sanded mine in long linear runs to get a brushed aluminum look and then used shark hide which is a translucent protective coating. The finish holds from that point in time forward.

By any chance do you have a pic or two you could share? I'm going between powder coating and the brushed/Sharkhide approach. Your way would be a lot less expensive for sure, and with the Sharkhide I shouldn't have to worry about oxidation (which is a concern with leaving the aluminum raw).

Thanks!

Rob

[Jim1855]

I bought a 289 FIA car completed and have been driving it.
Has unfinished aluminum panels in the engine compartment. I like it, not pretty but looks race car functional.

For the Challenge Car that I'm slowly working on I'll keep the aluminum unfinished except for hitting with Scotch-Brite and then coat with standard car wax. My thinking is that the wax is easy to recoat, should reduce or the slow the oxidation and may be easier to clean.

Jim

[CraigS]

I would clear it even if in a matte or satin finish. Mine was raw and the problem is that you can't really do much to clean it. You can't hit it w/ a power washer like a daily driver. Cleaning w/ more than a rag gets to be a problem because of all the stuff that ends up getting bolted to the aluminum. So using a rag and something like Flitz is tough, because you inevitably end up w/ areas you just can't get to. This is mine after maybe 12 years.
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