6061 vs 3003, anodized or not

[MRW2]

My new question involves aluminum skin 3003 vs 6061 mill finish is all I have found. Is one better than the other? In theory, 3003 has better corrosion resistance. Can I buff it up to shiny gloss?
Secondly, anodized vs not anodized? Anodized is a litter flatter in appearance but certainly weathers better.
I would appreciate any eduction and feed back here.

[pete42]

If I remember correctly the 6061 is what we used to cover our aluminum airplane
way back when I was building homebuilt airplanes.
maybe it was 6061-T6 darn I'm getting forgetful.

pete

[indycamper]

. . . darn I'm getting forgetful.

pete

I prefer to think of it not so much as getting forgetful as having so much in there that it takes a bit longer for it to find it's way out! Unfortunately, things are having a harder and harder time getting out these days.

[prohandyman]

IMHO mill finish is mill finish. Both will oxidize, both will stain, both will be tough to get stains out. I have used both and unless you want a used look real fast...go anodized. Of course it is more expensive , but you have the same look for alot longer (forever?) I have also polished both to a shine, but you will need a clear coat to keep that shine. If you choose either in mill finish, DO NOT use a standard nylon tarp to cover it...it will chemically react to the aluminum and cause large, dark, ugly stains that cannot be removed without heavy polishing, maybe not even then. I have a customer with mil finish that can verify this.
MRW...where are you located...Frank Bear has a wicked bright anodized that has the polished look and will retain it because it is anodized, but he is in Michigan
Here it is on top of my 70 Yukon...it has 3" creases that he offers also.

[RandyG]

6061 is good to buff,
3003 will corrode more,
5051 will corrode even faster (just small pitting but still an eye sore),
2024 is used as the skin on most aircraft and will keep it's shine for long