clear coat on aluminum??????

[bay area]

i made some 1/8 aluminum inserts for my dash and i have a buddy that cleaned them up until they looked like crome. Now how do i keep them lookin like that? Is there some clear coat or anything i can put on them??? Thanks Nick

[Lil' Blue Rude]

I'm not sure? Iv'e heard of people clear coating it before but I don't know how it would hold on. I think they used a adhesion promoter on the bare aluminium. Like I said I don't know how it would turn out.

[Liberator*21]

You can go to your local auto parts store and buy a rattle can of wheel clear coat. It works pretty good and its a tough coating too. Make sure you buy a brand name like VHT, Duplicolor etc. off brands aren't that great. Another option that I've used is got to your Home Depot and buy a rattle can of Clear Lacquer, works great too but the wheel clear coat is best because it's made to resist UV rays where Lacquer is not. Most important pert of the coating is preping your aluminum, must be 100% clean or you'll get "FISH EYES" in your work.

[HStream1]

I simply can't resist the plug. Clear powder coat and never worry about it again. But in all honisty it's not as cheep as a can of paint. Then again paint won't last near as long either.

[Liberator*21]

Damm Bud, I'm sorry, I didn't even think of that, your absolutely right. I seem to associate powder coating with color all the time and not "CLEAR".........you da man.........

[HStream1]

No problem Gary. + for paint to adhear to a polished surface?? Well it won't. It would need to be bead blasted, skuffed, chemical etched etc. Then you loose the luster of polishing the piece. On the other hand powder coating wouldn't be affected. It is applied with a electrical charge that causes the powder to adhear to the surface then baked.

[JP Love]

I simply can't resist the plug. Clear powder coat and never worry about it again. But in all honisty it's not as cheep as a can of paint. Then again paint won't last near as long either.

JP

[bringit2]

i have cleared some alu before looked and stayed clean,if u dont u will have to polish very often!

[bay area]

Hstream1 i would love to get it powdered coated red. i may just leave it like it is and when it fade away. ill just look u back up... Thanks Nick

[bay area]

[HStream1]

Here'a a hot foot I did in Red anodize. It was a real old one I pulled from a 25 + year old boat. And below that is one i did for Forkin Crazy down in LA.

[spirit5.6]

There is a 2K cleacoat coat made in the USA that is designed to stick directly to polished Aluminum and steel surfaces.. We have a product here that is very similar to it called POR15 l have used it many times on various parts including blocks and heads, it also dries harder then anything else l have ever seen.. If you like l will find out the name of it for you guys..
Dave G

[99fxst99]

A dash with that finish is going to be a PAIN on a sunny day with the reflection. I does look good but I would go with something less reflective for a user friendly dash. Just my 2 cents worth, adjusted for inflation.....

[AMERICANRAM]

Theres some clear coat stuff that you just wipe on and they say it will last over 2 years its called "SHARKHIDE"..... has anyone used it yet....

[rockman69]

http://www.sgcardetail.com/USC-36800...-Prodview.html

Ive used these guys a couple times. cheapest price on the spraymax 2k clear. Tough stuff and sticks to polished alum. well.
the only problem is... if you are clearing a few little parts, you may waste most of the can. Kwasny (the manufacturer) makes 250ml cans but not sure where to get them.
Por15 makes a 2 part clear (glisten pc) that you can try in a preval sprayer. They recommend an adhesion promoter when used on polished alum.

hope this helps