The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop aluminum for body work?

I'm thinking of buying this old 68 chevy van... the owner says it had some rust along both rocker panels and he recently cut out all the old metal and replaced it with aluminum them did some bondo then primed it. He says that's the way they used to do it in the day.
I'm looking forward to doing some nice paint on this but don't want to buy this thing if the body work is going to be weak.
Anybody here use aluminum for body panel work?
Should I be concerned with this before I buy?
Anything eles I may need to check out before I lay down the cash?

Thanks!

Be ready for the aluminum to disintegrate. Dad redid the trunk on our 58 one year with sheets of aluminum. They use a lot of salt here in the winter, and the following spring, we had HUGE holes in the trunk. Aluminum + salt = fast corrosion.

Anyone else have other experience???

aside from bondo not holding well on aluminum, the aluminum is waaay flexible, and the slightest bump on it will flex the bondo off - in addition there may be some reaction between the aluminum and the steel it's against, and if he left any rust under there it'll be bubbling and flaking soon

what they used 'in the day' was any scrap metal layin around pop riveted on - or easier, some fiberglas fly screen w/ a good coat of bondo mushed into it - last longer than aluminum I'd think!

st least he told ya about it, but unless yer into redoin the bodywork before you paint it, I'd pass

Bill

Unless you are in love with this not to pretty van, I'd pass. Old hippies like me love em, but there is little interest otherwise. Sounds like very temporary body work to me also! Save yer money and buy something with a little more class! Smitty

I've had a few of these and I forgot to advise you to check the lower windshield sheet metal, both inside and out. Also check hinges and steering box for excessive play. If it is a three on the tree, check linkage for slop, not much fun hanging up a tranny at a busy intersection!