I just found an amazing deal on an aluminum canopy in great condition for $25. The only problem is that it looks like it has been a multitude of colors over the past based on layers that have peeled back so far. Recomendations for dressing up an older canopy to make it look respectable?? I don't want to ruin the look of my truck which I've worked so hard at getting to look good, but I also am not at a point where I can shell out $500 to $1,000 for a nice one. Thoughts or ideas?

 

You could try a paint stripper to get it down to the surface and then paint it the color you want.

 

I have always wanted to take a nice aluminum canopy, restore it and Polish/Clearcoat it to look like an Airstream. Man that would look cool!

 

Can't I just spray paint over the existing paint? What kind of problems could that cause? Excuse my ignorance, but will a paint stripper work without any sanding? Just wipe on wipe off sort of thing?

 

Better yet, what if I were to take that fiberglass fabric and lay it over the groves in the aluminum to make it look like a fiberglass canopy. Kind of like paper "miche" (SP?).

 

"mache"


the paint stripper isnt that simple (kind I have used, anyways) you have to kinda let it soak a bit, and then wipe/scrape off? some one plz correct me if i'm wrong!

 

I got a cab height aluminum cap for $25 less than yours (what a deal!). It was originally black, I think, previous owner painted red and I did it in white to match my truck. It looks pretty good, I do like the lines of the original aluminum caps on the older body style trucks.

Cost me $50 at a friend's shop.

Dave / Believer45

 

From my limited experience painting cars, I know that you have to use a special primer to paint over aluminum. One one car, there was only one small aluminum panel above the trunk, but I didn't buy special primer just for that - and sure enough, it peeled.

You might also try a Maaco or other dealer.