What type of aluminum do you use, and how thick? Ordered up some inner fenders and extended sides tonight. Debating between you or AMF for roof and hood. AMF uses "Aircraft grade" aluminum that is .040 thick. They are more expensive however. I believe barndog uses .032. Not sure if the extra thickness on AMF a huge deal, and not sure what type of aluminum is best for panels. If you can make a case for your hood and panels I think I would prefer to support your product. I just want solid panels on the areas that take more of a beating.
Also, do you have any powder coating options? If not, do you have any recommendations or tips for painting these panels, or would vinyl coating be better?
.032 3003
Highly doubt anyone is using 6061 for panels. Its way more expensive and unnecessary.
Also what they don't realize when using thicker material is the lack of threads you now have. I know you're gonna say .008" ain't gonna matter but it does since we've already increased thickness over stock panels by using .032".
We are the originators and have the leading designs in panels. No one else does what we do, and that's hand form. You'll notice other panels are formed on a break giving them hard bends when there should be a radius bend to match the cage. We match whatever the cage does to give the best fit and look available.
No aluminum panel is gonna last forever, but at our price point, originality, and quality; you won't find a better panel on the market.
For coating, we don't offer a service since we have to job that out and leads to long wait periods out of our control.
For paint:
Scuff with scotch brite pad
Wash in warm soapy water and rinse clean
Avoid touching with bare fingers
We have good luck with Krylon brand paint
We are also working with Freqeskinz and will have all his wrap designs for our panel lines too. Just another advantage the other guys don't have.