These are structural elements..... thick sections, they will not burn unless you powder them or possibly very thin sheets exposed to high temps and/or oxygen could burn. The biggest problem with aluminum is that it loses it's strength quickly at very high temps, which a pickup would not normally see. If it does get that hot, weakened aluminum is the least of your problems.
Yeah, don't get me wrong, I don't see a problem with using aluminum, and I'm hoping that we get an improvement in paint technology for aluminum, because 'state of the art' right now still kinda sucks.
Is it possible to order one of the trucks 'negative paint'? If I could buy one bare and then polish it and do the accents in Candy Apples from House of Kolor, that would make me sorely tempted.
Most commercial and industrial aluminum structures, including boats, are kept in bare aluminum for two reasons. The natural oxide coating it develops is far superior in regards to the protection and preservation of the material than paint (paint can actually help speed deterioration) and the fact that paint is a bloody nightmare to keep on the aluminum. It's like the stuff is saying "What is this junk? Get it off me, I've got myself covered thanks, just leave me alone."
The only thing I have found that works well on an aluminum deck is the Rhino Liner process.
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