Patrick BMW MINI

Fig. 21, Sand with 180 grit DA

Fig. 22, Clean with a good wax and grease cleaner. Note the aluminum (black soot) on the towel Fig. 23

The next set of pictures show how to perform a recommended cleaning process in a clean environment.

As I stated earlier, I was sanding the body of a vehicle that I took down to bare metal. I used the same DA and the sandpaper from the steel body to sand away the paint and primer on the aluminum fender. When I was finished with the fender, I put it outside, and look what happened after one week. (See Fig. 24).

Metal particles were transferred from the dirty DA sandpaper to the

surface of the aluminum fender. Besides the iron particle beginning to rust, galvanic corrosion started under the rust particles. What would happen if I primed the fender? A big comeback.

Fig. 24, Clean with a good wax and grease cleaner. Note the aluminum (black soot) on the towel

At https://scrs.com/wp-content/ uploads/2018/01/2016-scrs-guideto-complete-repair-planning-revised-11-16.pdf , you will find a complete list of non-included items needed for repairing aluminum.

Check out I-CAR and its offerings on corrosion protection classes. Kent Automotive, 3M, Fusor and SEM have online classes on their products, and Kent has in-house training as well. line that, you’ve greatly reduced time spent on a process for which your shop can’t bill.

I can’t write about parts without mentioning one of the mistakes I see some dealership management make. At some dealerships, the body shop isn’t given financial credit for parts sales. I think this a bad idea for several reasons.

I think it reduces the likelihood that someone within that shop is responsible for following up on parts credits, for example. It also could lead to less than ideal repair-vs.-replace decisions; if those making parts decisions are paid on commission, and the shop gets no credit for a part sale, they may choose to repair a part when replacing would be the better decision for the repair .

Do you have questions related to parts? Want more ideas and best practices? Reach out to me, and check out our parts-related videos when you subscribe to our free YouTube channel (https://tinyurl.com/AdviceYouTube).

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