View Full Version : Clear coat over polished aluminum
Has anyone ever sprayed a urathane clear over polished aluminum?
I have a bunch of pieces of aluminum channel that I polished for my door pannel project and do not want to have to polish anymore once they are installed. My powdercoat guy could not get the finish to keep the high luster look of polished aluminum. Will an automotive clear work or will it peel off? Thanks for any advice.
chris
CRead01
03-26-2009, 05:30 AM
Eastwood has a product for this. It's a clear that goes on like water. I can't remember the name of it right now. my dad used it and it looks really good.
BonzoHansen
03-26-2009, 07:18 AM
Diamond clear?
manicmechanic
03-26-2009, 03:58 PM
What about that other stuff I have heard about in the past, I believe it is called Zoops?
Thanks for the suggestions. From what i have read about Zoops, It will have to be reaplied every few years. I will have leather around the pieces and they won't be removable. I checked out the diamond clear at eastwood, one of the comments said it dulled the part slightly, which is what the powdercoat did. I think I will try a few test pieces with urathane clear and see how it comes out. Thanks again.
Chris
Happyfunballs
03-27-2009, 04:44 AM
I would say if you polished it up real good, wiped it down with solvent and scotchbrighted it(for adhesion) it'll work. I would be worried that sanding it might put scratches in it that may not be "hidden" by the clear. Best to do some testing. If it doesn't work, it can easily be wiped off. One other thing, make sure that the clear you use isn't a yellow clear. Best way to tell is when you open the clear container look to see if you can see the bottom of the can and that it's clear with no yellow tint. Hope that makes sense.
jackfrost
03-27-2009, 09:44 AM
couldn't you just polish the clear like you would a body panel, to make it shiny again?
fantasygoat
03-27-2009, 12:18 PM
The best thing to do is have it anodized.
gearheads78
03-27-2009, 01:49 PM
I would say if you polished it up real good, wiped it down with solvent and scotchbrighted it(for adhesion) it'll work. I would be worried that sanding it might put scratches in it that may not be "hidden" by the clear. Best to do some testing. If it doesn't work, it can easily be wiped off. One other thing, make sure that the clear you use isn't a yellow clear. Best way to tell is when you open the clear container look to see if you can see the bottom of the can and that it's clear with no yellow tint. Hope that makes sense.
Scotchbrite will give a brushed finish. That would never work for a polished part.
LateNight72
03-28-2009, 05:22 PM
the best thing to do is have it anodized.
+ 1
MuscleRodz
03-28-2009, 07:21 PM
Why not chrome them?
Zanie
03-28-2009, 08:08 PM
Was your powdercoat guy gonna clear powdercoat them? or powdercoat with the chrome effect powder?
I've got a Craftsman powdercoat gun that I've used on several things (brackets and stuff). Polish the aluminum, clean it thouroghly then wipe it down with acetone and powdercoat with the clear powdercoat.
I did some polised diamondplate mudflaps on my dually 3 years ago and they still look great. I don't drive it in the winter but it does sit outside.
.
The powder coat he was using was one of the best clears he had. It just didn't look right. I am leaning strongly towards getting them chromed. I just liked the polished look. Do yall think clear anodizing would work and keep the look? Thanks for the input!
Chris
LateNight72
04-06-2009, 09:28 PM
Yes
fantasygoat
04-07-2009, 08:39 AM
Most of the trim on my '69 Torino is anodized aluminum and it shines pretty brilliantly.
JRouche
04-07-2009, 07:04 PM
Anodized is pretty much the most durable. Then powder coat. Chrome is really nice too, if you want it really shiny and it sounds like you do. JR
beadblaster
04-08-2009, 10:14 AM
I redid all the aluminum trim on my 64 chevelle and used a product called everbrite. I covered all my polished aluminum parts with this stuff.
minendrews68
04-08-2009, 06:15 PM
Just remember, If I'm not mistaken you cannot anodize cast aluminum, only pure aluminum (billet) You put the cast aluminum through the anodize tanks and it turns it a dull black.
Just remember, If I'm not mistaken you cannot anodize cast aluminum, only pure aluminum (billet) You put the cast aluminum through the anodize tanks and it turns it a dull black.
Thats good to know! These parts started out as 1/2" aluminum channel from Home Depot. I would think they would be pure aluminum. I guess I'll make up my mind when I spray some test pieces with urathane clear. If that doesn't do it..... chrome it is.
thanks,
Chris
I redid all the aluminum trim on my 64 chevelle and used a product called everbrite. I covered all my polished aluminum parts with this stuff.
After looking at this stuff, I'm going to buy a trial kit and try it. Did you use the protectaclear? Did you use the spray or the brush on?
This looks like good stuff! Thanks.
Topless69
04-13-2009, 12:14 PM
Not to steal your thread chris but I just wanted to say I hope your going to post pics of your door project. Looks like a sweet job so far.
Not to steal your thread chris but I just wanted to say I hope your going to post pics of your door project. Looks like a sweet job so far.
I will post some pics soon in the interior section. I've been working on them for over a year, when i have time. Just need to get the aluminum coated and bring it to my upolstry guy to finish it up. I need to finish up the trunk panels also before I bring it all to him.
I will be using the the protecta-clear from everbrite coatings. I did 2 pieces so far and this stuff is great! I will be coating everything I can find now. Thanks to all for your help.
chris
Powered by vBulletin®