Aluminum wheel pants

[Adamo13]

I've located a pair of Taylorcraft BC12-D aluminum wheel pants and I'm curious if they are compatible with my Cleveland dhb-3 wheels and brakes on my 1950 BC12-D.

Thanks!

Adam McPeck
1950 Taylorcraft BC12-D N6627N
1959 Cessna 150 N7950E

[M Towsley]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

No Adam, they are not compatible so you will need to give them to me. Lol, just kidding. I don't know if they will, or won't but I hope they do. Good luck!

[Adamo13]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Thanks Marty! If I end up getting them and they don't fit they will be going up for sale here on the forum!

Adam

[Adamo13]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Anybody have any experience with welding aluminum? These pants have a small crack toward the bottom I'd like to get filled. I was hoping to keep them polished. Any chance I'll be able to blend the crack weld in without being a major eye sore? Also they have a few dings. Standard dent puller work or is there a better way to get them smooth?

[Guest]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

They are soft aluminum - no dent pullers - use rubber mallet

I weld aluminum and welded mine up. It will be an eyesore, you will have to grind down the bead with a grinding disk that is for aluminum, be sure to use 1100 rod, it's soft.

Aluminum solder will probably not work - after you smooth the bead down there is nothing left.

[avenger1949]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

I have had good luck tig welding aluminum have found when doing a crack it is good to drill a small hole at the end of the crack to keep older metals from spreading the crack on down the metal

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

There are guys that can repair it where you will not be able to tell it was touched, but it will probably cost more than you gave for the pants

[astjp2]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Look up the Tin Man, uses a torch like it was originally done for aluminum. TIG is ok but not the only answer. Tim

[Guest]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Tin Man

https://www.tinmantech.com/html/kent_white.php

Buy a TIG welder - about $4k+ for the one I got

Buy a gas torch setup and materials from Tin Man and get tanks local - about $1k

Take it to a local shop and then grind/polish - about $50

That's my best guesses.

Take it to a local guy.

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Check out the REALLY GOOD auto body shops. An honest one (yes, they really ARE out there) will know who is an aluminum body man. Lots of very high end collector and antique race cars have a lot of aluminum body panels (like the Shelby Cobra). The good body shops will know who the local artist is. Make sure you tell him you want a POLISHED finish, not painted. You may need to travel a bit but look at his work. Most are really proud of their polish jobs. You WILL end up with a bead on the inside, but a good worker will make the outside of the repair completely invisible.

Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Soon all of the body shops will have an aluminum guy. Cars and trucks, (the new Ford F150 for one), will be aluminum-bodied. All to save weight and gas, to meet future CAFE standards.

[Adamo13]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Thanks everyone! Lots of good information. The tin man videos I saw were unreal. Always knew aluminum could be welded but to see two pieces become one with no detectable weld was amazing. I like DIY but the perfectionist in me may not like this challenging little project. I think for this one I'm going to seek out the professionals!

[astjp2]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Marty, can you say glue on body panels? The alloys cant be welded or straightened out, the creases will crack. Tim

Soon all of the body shops will have an aluminum guy. Cars and trucks, (the new Ford F150 for one), will be aluminum-bodied. All to save weight and gas, to meet future CAFE standards.

[M Towsley]

Re: Aluminum wheel pants

Interesting! Not completely what I have 'heard' but I drive older cars so it doesn't affect me.