Debate: Should we still be using steel for hood repairs or is aluminum the way to go now?

I was reading through some I-CAR data last week and found out that over 40% of new cars now have aluminum hoods or panels. That surprised me because I still see so many guys in my shop pushing to fix steel like it's the only option. On one hand, aluminum is lighter and doesn't rust, but on the other hand, it's way harder to weld and can crack if you don't prep it right. What's your stance - do you stick with steel repairs or have you started swapping in aluminum more often?

3 comments

3 Comments

rileynelson16d agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, is it really that big of a deal though... steel works fine for most repairs and aluminum's a pain to deal with unless you've got all the right gear.

oliver216d ago

You've got a good point there. Steel is just so much easier to work with, especially if you're not a pro with all the expensive gear. Aluminum can be a real headache with the heat control and the different filler rods. I've messed up more than a few aluminum repairs trying to save money on equipment. It's nice to know someone else gets the struggle of just wanting a solid fix without all the extra hassle. Sometimes the old school methods just work best, no shame in that.

oliver216d ago

Ask you this - how many times you had to redo an aluminum weld because it just crumbled on you? I've been there more than I care to count. Tried those cheap Amazon inverters for aluminum and the arc was all over the place. Steel's forgiving even with a clunky old AC buzzbox. Aluminum punishes you for cutting corners.