---
title: "Aluminum Skin Repair and Replacement"
source: https://fleetrepairshops.com/services/fiberglass-composite/aluminum-skin
business: OCRV Fleet Repair Shop
location: Yorba Linda, CA
serves: Irvine, California
phone: (714) 909-1844
---

# Aluminum Skin Repair and Replacement

Aluminum skin work repairs and replaces the riveted or bonded aluminum sheet used on trailer and body sidewalls, including panel sectioning, rivet line restoration, and corrosion treatment at dissimilar metal contact points.

Range: $2,500 to $25,000

Collision estimates for insurance claim walk-ins carry no charge. Systems estimates are $150 and diagnostics are $285 per hour, both credited against an authorized repair.


## Aluminum is its own discipline

Aluminum work is not steel work with different filler. Heat management is completely different, the material work-hardens, and welding technique that is fine on steel will warp an aluminum panel badly.

Galvanic corrosion is the other aluminum-specific issue. Where aluminum contacts steel fasteners or framing without isolation, it corrodes at the contact point, which is why so many older riveted bodies show white powdery corrosion along the rivet lines.

- Panel sectioning and full sheet replacement
- Rivet line restoration with correct fastener type
- Galvanic isolation at dissimilar metal contact
- Corrosion treatment and sealing
- Refinishing to match adjacent panels

## Questions

**Why is my aluminum panel corroding at the rivets?**

Galvanic corrosion from dissimilar metal contact without isolation. It is normal on older bodies and it is addressed by cleaning back, isolating, and using the correct fastener type.

**Can a dented aluminum panel be repaired?**

Sometimes, but aluminum work-hardens and does not take repeated working the way steel does. A sharp dent in a thin skin is frequently better sectioned than worked.

**Do you do aluminum welding?**

Yes, with the technique and equipment aluminum requires rather than adapting steel practice to it.

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OCRV Fleet Repair Shop, 23281 E La Palma Ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Phone (714) 909-1844. All work is performed at our Yorba Linda facility.