Hey Hugh, no worries. No need to modify the printer - stick the aluminum right into it - that piece is 0.020 gauge - whatever it is, use a micrometer or eyeball it to see how it compares to thickest canvas you've printed on. My printer (9700) has wider gap than yours, I think. As for the coating - I don't sell mine - yet - there are still some kinks to iron out, so that will coma later. Meanwhile you can get inkaid - from inkaid.com, works great (mine is better - you cannot spray inkaid, have to use roller or similar - leaves some streaks) - but it does a great job. As for the inkset - I don't know what you have in your printer, I'm running pigment inks. I get aluminum from a sheet metal company - don't have to be aluminum, tin works much better - and you can find lighter sheets of it - the same size. Then take it to a body shop have the prints clear coated. Good luck.