How to protect a brushed aluminum bodied DB 427SC Cobra?

[Mike Phillips]

How to protect a brushed aluminum bodied DB 427SC Cobra?


Anytime I get questions via e-mail, a PM or a FB message I prefer to invest my typing time where

A: It's easier for me to share links, pictures and videos.

B: More people can read and thus benefit from the information. (no just one set of eyeballs)


So I get an e-mail asking,

Hi Mike,

My names lee and I'm a regular follower of your work and thought it best to ask someone that may have worked on brushed aluminum in the past.

I have been asked for advise on what's the best way to protect a bare brushed aluminums DB 427SC, its not being delivered until 2018 but he wants to get the best products for the job when it arrives.

Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated, I've attached a photo of the car just for an idea on what he may need.

I look forward to your reply.

Regards

Lee

Hi Lee,

I'm sharing your picture and request for information on our forum. While I've buffed out a wide spectrum of cars over the years I have not worked on or maintained a brushed aluminum bodied car like your DB 427SC






My guess is to maintain a uniform appearance with brushed aluminum is to use some form of Scotchbrite pad and a light oil like 3-in-1 oil. Then if any scuffs or scratches happen to the body panels you would rub the Scotchbrite pad with the direction of the brush or grain. The challenge will to NOT improve one area by making it more like chrome than brushed aluminum.

As for some form of "protection" like in a wax, sealant or coating?

Because of the texture created by rubbing the aluminum in straight lines, maintaining this appearance may/will require periodically touching up the brushed look. Assuming a person were to use something like a Scotchbrite pad or steel wool, these types of material will or would remove any type of wax, or sealant or coating.

Some brands of aluminum polish also leave behind protection but rubbing a polish will make the brushed look more like polished aluminum. So this won't help.


I also remember some products on the market for protecting bare aluminum, might be Meguiar's in their marine line?




There must be a discussion forum or Facebook page for these style of bodies?


I'm hoping some of our forum members had had experience with this and will chime in....

[axel06]

ShineSeal.com ::: Protect Your Products ::: this poped up on a google search. Have you client contact the manufacturer and ask them what they would recommend for this situation

[Jim w]

Contact DB or these guys Kirkham Motorsports

[Eric@CherryOnTop]

What about Shark Hide?

[rlmccarty2000]

I've seen some Deloreans with the aluminum body being redone with a belt type sander that leaves the same directional marks. As for protection, wouldn't a sealant or wax work?