Aluminum: The Next Big Thing
The very first cars were made of wood, which made for some very boxy designs relatively devoid of sleek lines. Then came steel, which enabled car makers to fashion the look of the cars into a variety of shapes, adding personality to each model and increasing the durability of vehicles.
So what’s the big news in cars today? Trends point toward a new “normal” for cars: aluminum.
A lighter metal
Charles Hineline of Great Plains Auto Body explains, “Why aluminum? It’s much lighter than steel.” He adds that auto-grade aluminum is tough. “This isn’t pop can aluminum. An aluminum car roof is so strong that if it gets damaged by hail it might not be easily repairable using paintless dent repair. It won’t work.”
Hineline says that Ford’s 2015 F-150 pick-up truck, which is made out of aluminum instead of steel, reduces the weight of the truck by around 700 pounds. That’s a big deal for fuel efficiency.
Working with aluminum
Aluminum isn’t an easy metal to work with, and there are plenty of variables involved when it comes to repairing aluminum on a vehicle. For example, Hineline points out that even something as innocent as working on an aluminum vehicle next to a steel vehicle can cause problems if the dust from the two vehicles intermingle, as these two metals mixed together can result in corrosion.
This also means that welding aluminum is quickly becoming an important talent to learn. “Most body shops don’t have the right machines or experience,” says Hineline. “Shops are clamoring to get equipment and training.” To them, Hineline advises, “Wake up! Get ready – aluminum is coming.”
On the other hand, GPAB obtained an aluminum welding machine more than five years ago and has experienced technicians who are proficient at welding aluminum, and have been for years.
The future of autos
Expect to see more aluminum vehicles in the future, and remember that Great Plains Auto Body has been working with aluminum for years and are no strangers to welding this lightweight metal.
When you need auto body repair to your vehicle – aluminum or not- call the experts at Great Plains Auto Body: 402-334-7100.
