Thread: Finishing Aluminum Body Panels

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zinc chromate, maybe?????

Thanks Dave & Marco. I thought there might be something special for aluminum and zinc chromate does ring a bell. Does anyone know if regular "bondo" works on aluminum or is there also a special compound necessary?

regular bondo should be left for the amateurs.

There are many superior products available.

Originally Posted by RestoRod

Thanks Dave & Marco. I thought there might be something special for aluminum and zinc chromate does ring a bell. Does anyone know if regular "bondo" works on aluminum or is there also a special compound necessary?

Used to be a product called AlumaLead....but because of the lead it was dicontiued.... I'd give Evercoat a call and see what they recomend...Used to get the dingin' and pingin' done, a light coat of zinc chromate (or whatever it was called) then the alumalead..... I haven't worked any aluminum for a long time, hate to take a guess on what is used now...

Thanks everyone. I have been doing some research on my own and have found that marine applications recommend a ZINC Phosphate based primer that is apparently available through marine suppliers. I had hoped that some of the "paint gurus" would have added their expertise to this thread but I will continue to research.
Incidentally, firebird, when I mentioned "regular" bondo I was referring to the type normally used on steel, not to the commercial brand name. I wondered if there was a specific formula for aluminum.
I have discovered that Evercoat recommends their product to be used directly on bare aluminum although it can also be used over a primer. Does anyone have any experience with this?