Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Aluminium chassis - winter use/salt

Hi all,

Does anyone know how well the chassis will fare up to winter use and the salt we get this time of year?
I know the Aston's use aluminium chassis as well as Morgan but I have no idea if they are rust proofed differently or protected, either way I have never heard of rust issues on them and most are used year round.

I don't particularly like the idea of smothering the underneath in ACF-50 or other gunk and would prefer to just keep it "clean". However I have no idea if the aluminium is coated for protection, or whether or not it will degrade if I use it at winter.

Ideally it would be nice to be able to use it, but I don't want a rusty unfixable chassis in a few years time.

Any advice appreciated..

I'll be interested in answers to this, Nick. I use my Aero all year round, but try to avoid taking it out in winter when the roads have been salted for the same reason as you.
Nothing better than day or night winter drives with the roof down, warm clothing, and the heater on full blast.

You can always get one of these

https://www.kaercher.com/my/accessory/underbody-cleaner-26425610.html

Williams last saterday,had an aero on a lift. There did seem to be a lot of oxidation to the underside. Dont know its history.

Yes, I had a look at that Aero too. To be honest, I wasn't bothered about the oxidation on the aluminium, all exposed aluminium will form a thin layer of oxide on its surface, this protects it from further decay.

What bothered me much more was the state of the steel components and the diff, which was very rusty for a car that had done only 6k miles.

My thought was that cars like this, which are very low to the ground, must be very difficult to get underneath to clean. If one is spending £100k on a car, forking out another £1500 on a lift so you can get under the thing to look after it would seem to be a good plan.

Will have a further look at lifts at the NEC classic as some will be there !

I once used a caterham al year round with polished aluminium body work. By the end of the winter the salt had put small pits into the body that could not be removed. Would this happen to the chassis of an aero?

I guess it depends on the grade of alluminium used.

I was disappointed at how badly the alloy on the caterham fared and would never have the plain body finish again as it would require washing off after every winter road use.

ACF50 sprayed underneath is the answer, used in the Aero industry to stop corrosion. There have been tests reported on here when it has been sprayed on sheet metal and left outside for a year with amazing results. Alternatively avoid salted roads and if you get caught out a good pressure wash underneath ASAP.

From my experience of dismantling my aero cars, the damage takes place between the bare aluminium lap joints. I have ensured these are well protected on reassembly.

It's not just the salt on the chassis

I used mine once on a dry day years ago when there was salt dust still on the frog

Next time I went back to the car the nose cone had corroded all around the edge blistering the paint.

I have since sprayed ACF 50 into all the body joints and around the rear lights etc (another known corrosion point) and refrain from getting it close to any salt