Long time reader, first post... My wife and I have an 02 Exiss XT308 Event that had a tree limb come down and damage a LQ side panel, we've opened it up and there is no stud or other framing damage. We bought it with a homebuilt LQ and are updating some of the things that we've wanted to do for awhile. My question is sourcing the aluminum panel. It's the white siding, can we just get some aluminum sheeting and have it painted to match or is it more involved than that? Drilling out and replacing the rivets isn't an issue, just finding the sheeting. Regards, Tim
Posted 2015-02-16 8:06 PM (#162594 - in reply to #162593) Subject: RE: Replacing a damaged exterior aluminum panel (white)
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Find a sheet metal fabricator, an FBO aircraft center, an RV dealer that performs repairs, or go on line for the sheet metal. You will not be able to exactly match the original paint finish and may have to paint an entire panel. The metal panel's thicknesses are measured in thousandths and many of the 5XXX series or 5056-T3 would work well.
Posted 2015-02-16 10:10 PM (#162599 - in reply to #162597) Subject: RE: Replacing a damaged exterior aluminum panel (white)
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Gonzales, Tx
Thanks Gard I really appreciate it, I've learned plenty reading your posts here. I wasn't sure if there was a baked on method or something that would prevent just getting a sheet of aluminum painted and using that. I thought I'd read somewhere the earlier event series had .040" exterior panel thickness.
Posted 2015-02-17 6:05 AM (#162601 - in reply to #162593) Subject: RE: Replacing a damaged exterior aluminum panel (white)
Veteran
Posts: 133 Location: NC
most panels used for siding are .040 and have baked enamel paint on them. you could contact the manufacture to see if they would sell you a sheet (or tell you where to get it), they most likely have a match for your paint color.
Posted 2015-02-17 9:26 AM (#162608 - in reply to #162593) Subject: RE: Replacing a damaged exterior aluminum panel (white)
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Many manufacturers purchase their sheet materials prepainted. They are usually painted in a hot roll process, that applies a thin uniform coating, that is then baked to a hardened finish. The rolls are then cut to panel sizes and applied to the final products. This original finish is very difficult to replicate with an aftermarket spray overcoating. The colour match is achievable, but not the sheen. The ideal fix is to purchase a repair panel prefinished with the original paint. Be aware that not all white panels are the same colour, and you may find many variations of this shade. There will be differences between brands, or even within the same brand, depending upon when the roll was purchased and what coatings were applied at that time. The manufacturers often change their specs or purchase left over lots at reduced prices, meaning any further products would be difficult to exactly replicate.
Posted 2015-02-17 9:44 AM (#162609 - in reply to #162593) Subject: RE: Replacing a damaged exterior aluminum panel (white)
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Even if you could find a sheet from the original batch, because of weathering the colors will no longer match. You'll have 3 choices- A) Accept a close match. B) See if someone can paint a sheet to match the trailer. C) Replace the sheet and then have entire trailer painted. Most folks do "A" and it isn't terrible, unless the original finish is really bad.
Posted 2015-02-17 7:03 PM (#162611 - in reply to #162593) Subject: RE: Replacing a damaged exterior aluminum panel (white)
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Gonzales, Tx
Thanks for the heads up on a local semi trailer repair outfit. I found one here in San Antonio that carries .050 in 49"x110" panels for just under a hundred. I'm going by to take a pic or two with the camera in manual everything so when i compare pics, the white balance and everything else should be equal and make a pretty accurate comparison between the two panels for color without having to buy the panel first. I appreciate the tips on this.
Replacing a damaged exterior aluminum panel (white)
