mikejkay Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 The flexible solar panels that were on my roof were attached (by Travelworld) with small dabs of mastic about 40mm in diameter and 1 - 2mm thick. Seven dabson the front panel and five dabs on the rear panel. When I removed the panels following several weeks of hot dry weather I came across a significant amount of water trapped beneath the panels. I have now discovered blistered paint and spots of corrosion, up to 8mm across, over several discrete areas that were beneath the panels. There is no sign of paint damage or corrosion on any other part of the roof. Hymer say that this damage is covered under warranty. Travelworld don't want to know and, anyway, it would be a 700 mile round trip just to get them to look at it. They also say that fixing flexible panels in this manner is perfectly acceptable and, of course, other Hymer dealers are booked up for months. Does any body know how to deal with corrosion of aluminium? The equivelant of Kurust perhaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deneb Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 mikejkay - 2020-06-23 11:12 PM Does any body know how to deal with corrosion of aluminium? The equivelant of Kurust perhaps. Deb (the Swarfega manufacturer) used to sell a product called Alutrans, intended for cleaning aluminium truck bodies. I used it very successfully to clean and remove corrosion from various aluminium parts during the restoration of an old car I used to own. That was quite a few years ago though, and I think they changed the name of the product some time ago as well, but worth investigating. I can't see a similar product on their current website, but you could ask them. https://www.debgroup.com/uk/company/global-locations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 I believe the cleaning product you mention was rebranded as Janitol “Altrans” https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/lubricants-and-chemicals/cleaners-and-degreasers/janitol-altrans/f/22423 but it looks like it’s actually no longer available. This product should do a similar job http://www.aptcommercialchemicals.co.uk/aluminium-cleaner-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 We use Alumiprep which we get from Light Aero Spares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 mikejkay - 2020-06-23 11:12 PM Does any body know how to deal with corrosion of aluminium? The equivelant of Kurust perhaps. I’m not sure you need to do the equivalent of Kurrust. I owned a Landrover for 27 years (aluminium body) and the opinion then was that if the paint was knocked off, the aluminium would form a protective oxidised layer so could be left as is. The only issues the bodywork suffered from was electrolysis where dissimilar metals were in contact with the vehicle body. Naturally, if you intend to repaint yourself rather than making use of the warranty then you’ll want to remove the oxidisation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Having worked with ali aircraft parts for decades I can tell you that it does corrode, the only question is how fast and what type of corrosion, which is dependant on the alloy and how it has been worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 The ex Military Land Rover body was produced in Birmabright an aluminum alloy that could be heated and manipulated as it was a tougher and less flexible material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceM Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 This might help the op decide what to do next https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/76/aluminum-corrosion – environmental conditions seem to be a key factor especially the impact of trapped water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 BruceM - 2020-06-24 8:17 PM This might help the op decide what to do next https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/76/aluminum-corrosion – environmental conditions seem to be a key factor especially the impact of trapped water. As is often the case with these articles it totally ignores intagranular corrosion which often happens with alloys, I would note that in the aircraft industry we use alclad for high strenght alloy sheet, this is a layer of pure ali on the alloy base, but any damage such as scratches will enable the corrosion to gain a hold in the base. As I posted earlier it all comes down to what type of alloy is used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejkay Posted June 24, 2020 Author Share Posted June 24, 2020 Thanks for all the information folks. As the areas of corrosion are quite small I think I will just rub them down and prime and paint them with touch up paint. The environment which caused the corrosion in the first place no longer exists and I am replacing the flexible panels with rigid ones that will stand proud of the roof. For anyone contemplating flexible panels, be warned. Another factor is it seems that I won't be able to get the work done by a Hymer dealer for many months and I want to get the new panels up and working as soon as possible. I will try and attach a photo of one of the corrosion spots. If anybody thinks it's something different please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejkay Posted June 25, 2020 Author Share Posted June 25, 2020 I will try and attach a photo of one of the corrosion spots. If anybody thinks it's something different please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 I reckon when the oxide is removed you will find a hole, this will need proper repair, paint is not going to do it. H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejkay Posted June 26, 2020 Author Share Posted June 26, 2020 hallii - 2020-06-25 8:53 PM I reckon when the oxide is removed you will find a hole, this will need proper repair, paint is not going to do it. H OUCH! :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 mikejkay - 2020-06-26 1:49 PM hallii - 2020-06-25 8:53 PM I reckon when the oxide is removed you will find a hole, this will need proper repair, paint is not going to do it. H OUCH! :-( ..have you considered sticking a flexible solar panel over it..? ...sorry!... ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejkay Posted June 26, 2020 Author Share Posted June 26, 2020 pepe63 - 2020-06-26 3:52 PM mikejkay - 2020-06-26 1:49 PM hallii - 2020-06-25 8:53 PM I reckon when the oxide is removed you will find a hole, this will need proper repair, paint is not going to do it. H OUCH! :-( ..have you considered sticking a flexible solar panel over it..? ...sorry!... ;-) Gaffer tape job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 I have seen a limo which had it's peeling paint 'repaired' with gaffer tape. :D P.s. Just had to check something, 30 years ago I decided the ali slab side of my 'sevenesque' would look better with a wide stripe, so as a experiment to see what it would look like I stuck on a 2" wide line of gaffer tape, it's still there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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