Aluminum has been around for quite some time but with the increased usage from many OE manufacturers, aluminum has become the new buzz word. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind to insure proper adhesion when performing aluminum repair.

• Aluminum Oxidation.  Aluminum can oxidize very quickly after being sanded and exposed to air.  This can have a negative impact on the ability of a primer to bond to the aluminum. Therefore, it is critical to prime sanded aluminum panels as soon as possible to protect it from oxidation.

• Avoid cross contamination. Galvanic corrosion will occur when you first sand a steel panel and then use that same sanding disc to sand aluminum. By cross contaminating these metals, the aluminum will corrode and cause the primer to lose adhesion. Therefore it is important to keep sanding discs for aluminum separate from sanding discs used for steel repair. 

By practicing these simple tips, you can rest assured your paint job will be sound over properly prepared aluminum.