Re: Bike rack advise Reply #25 – January 16, 2012, 11:53:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 127859Larry or Andy, What would be the best way to repair "pop marks" in the aluminum skin of the LD? I have some of these due to a previous owner not taking care of a roof problem. They appear to be corrosion. They are on the under side of the windows of the overhead cab area. I was thinking of using "Bondo" and repainting but I'm wondering if soldering or alumiBond or mig welding would be better? Dale.__
Re: aluminum corrosion Reply #26 – January 16, 2012, 12:07:53 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127860"I was thinking of using 'Bondo' and repainting but I'm wondering if soldering or alumiBond or mig welding would be better?" I don't think you would want to use any technique involving high heat on an aluminum surface that's backed by wood. You wouldn't want to start your rig's frame smoldering inside the walls. And that's not to mention what the heat of welding or brazing would do to the sealant holding in those windows, nor the fact that you'd first have to clear off the paint down to the metal over a considerable area, and then repaint afterward. No, I think Bondo is a better choice in this situation.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: aluminum corrosion Reply #27 – January 16, 2012, 12:19:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127861How about soldering? Dale.__
Re: aluminum corrosion Reply #28 – January 16, 2012, 01:32:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127863"How about soldering?" Doesn't matter whether you call it soldering or brazing--you'd have to apply heat generously, because aluminum conducts it away almost as fast as you can apply it. Lots of heat means lots of danger of fire inside the walls. Not a good idea.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: aluminum corrosion Reply #29 – January 16, 2012, 05:57:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127874Bondo good - heat bad. Bondo and similar are cheap, easy to work with, and durable - as long as the panel doesn't flex much. I've used the light weight stuff, and it spreads easily, adheres well, files and sands quickly, and paints cleanly.Eric
Re: Bike rack advise Reply #30 – January 16, 2012, 07:33:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127879"What would be the best way to repair "pop marks" in the aluminum skin of the LD?DaleCarve out the rotted metal until it all shines. Fill the hole with Bondo or, if you do not mind the appearance, 3M 5200. Welding or soldering is not the right method for this application, as Andy has pointed out, unless you wish to burn your LD. The "pop marks" or bubbles may be caused by a leak(s)in the front window, something you should check out. Wade's rule of thumb- All front windows will eventually leak, it's just a matter of time.Larry