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04-11-2018, 05:00 PM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Wisconsin N.E.
Posts: 412
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
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Using aluminum skin on a roof raise?
I'm new, hi!
I've been doing alot of reading on skoolies, I'm sure I'm buying one, I'm looking now. Until then more research.
My question is has anyone used aluminum to patch after a roof raise? Is it a bad idea?
I have access to aluminum in various thickness for cheap
Thanks for looking
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04-11-2018, 05:27 PM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Elliott used aluminum to skin his roof raise on Millicent. He appears to have had good luck with it.
However, mating dissimilar metals can lead to electrolytic breakdown of the metal.
I am not that adventurous. I am using steel for mine.
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04-11-2018, 06:32 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whatthefak
I'm new, hi!
I've been doing alot of reading on skoolies, I'm sure I'm buying one, I'm looking now. Until then more research.
My question is has anyone used aluminum to patch after a roof raise? Is it a bad idea?
I have access to aluminum in various thickness for cheap
Thanks for looking
|
It would be fine, but as PNWSteve said, you need to pay attention to sealing the seams in a way that avoids direct aluminum to steel contact.
Land Rover manage that by inserting strips of ptfe along the seams.
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04-11-2018, 07:09 PM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Wisconsin N.E.
Posts: 412
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
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The corrosion rate of the dissimilar metals not only depends on the environment and the difference in potential, but also the respective amount of the dissimilar metals. For example, an unfavorable situation would be to have a large area of inactive metal and a small area of active metal in any particular joint design. If this condition exists, the smaller active metal could corrode at an accelerated rate. This fact is particularly important to remember when using fasteners, bolts, and rivets, since they have a relatively small area in respect to the pieces of metal that are being connected.”
Pay careful attention to the corrosion potential chart and remember not to place a small amount of active metal in contact with a large amount of inactive metal. For example, never place an aluminum rivet in a large piece of steel.
Also I found this, but aren't most people using aluminum rivets?
Is it just a matter of sealing the joints in paint?
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04-11-2018, 07:53 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
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Most people are using steel rivets.
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04-12-2018, 05:52 AM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Pendleton Indiana
Posts: 348
Year: 2010
Coachwork: IC
Engine: MF DT466
Rated Cap: 81
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Also if I remember you need to use an etching primer for it. Not a super big deal your local paint house could tell you more on aluminium paint prep.
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04-12-2018, 11:05 AM
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#7
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Skoolie
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: League City, Texas
Posts: 221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whatthefak
I'm new, hi!
I've been doing alot of reading on skoolies, I'm sure I'm buying one, I'm looking now. Until then more research.
My question is has anyone used aluminum to patch after a roof raise? Is it a bad idea?
I have access to aluminum in various thickness for cheap
Thanks for looking
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Electrolytic reactions of the dissimilar materials would keep me doing aluminum. If you can pony up for steel, that is a better option. Of course YMMV.
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04-12-2018, 11:21 AM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vacaville, Ca
Posts: 1,634
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Crown / Pusher
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
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I treated the metals with POR15 where there was contact between dissimilar metal, Put multiple coats on each when possible.
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