Frank ZX
Member
I'm a aircraft mechanic at a major airline.I finished a 2 week class on sheet metal a few weeks ago.I thought I would share a few thing about aluminum I have learned.First off,aluminum comes from dirt.There are different types of aluminum,7073,2024,etc.Most aluminum is mixed with zinc,copper,and sometimes other exotic metals.There are also many different heat treat processes T3,T4,t6,etc,which gives it strength.
Some people think aluminum will not rust like steel,BUT it will corrode if not maintained properly.Corrosion will spread just like rust,and eat a hole in aluminum.Some times in the manufacturing process there are contaminates in the metal and it will corrode from the inside out.When this happens the aluminum will grow to several times it size,and turn a white chalky color.
So to keep your aluminum boat looking and performing like it should,Keep it clean.
If you see a white chalky spot on your boat,sand it out with a ScotchBrite pad,and acetone.And don't concentrate your sanding pressure just on the spot of corrosion,blend it out a few inches away from the spot of corrosion.
Some people think aluminum will not rust like steel,BUT it will corrode if not maintained properly.Corrosion will spread just like rust,and eat a hole in aluminum.Some times in the manufacturing process there are contaminates in the metal and it will corrode from the inside out.When this happens the aluminum will grow to several times it size,and turn a white chalky color.
So to keep your aluminum boat looking and performing like it should,Keep it clean.
If you see a white chalky spot on your boat,sand it out with a ScotchBrite pad,and acetone.And don't concentrate your sanding pressure just on the spot of corrosion,blend it out a few inches away from the spot of corrosion.