1970 Firebird Twin Turbo Build

[CliffS]

Subscribed! That's a sick car! Love the engine!

[tcronkright]

Thanks for the comments on the engine. It is turning out to be a unique piece.

Does anyone have experience with anodizing vs. powder coating?

I want a clean finish, but would like to keep the milling texture exposed through the finish. I am thinking of anodizing the valve covers and very top of the intake black and clearing the remaining parts. I want something that can be wiped clean while maintaining a nice finish. Not sure which way to go.

[dipren443]

Powder coating will definitely cover the milling texture. Type I anodizing is quite thin (~0.1 mil) and will mostly likely leave a bit of the milling texture depending on what the surface finish is.

You can also have parts clear anodized to make them easier to clean and will also keep aluminum from corroding.

Example:

[aronhk_md]

I agree with Nick....powder coating is actually very thick. Anodizing is what you want there. Just remember, anodizing doesnt really add anything protective to the surface as far as scratching goes......think of the red and blue AN fittings and what happens when you use a wrench on them if you arent careful. But, powder coating also scratches, and actually a lot of powder coating leaves fingerprint smudges easily....especially glossy ones....and they are hard to get rid of. I really like powder coating steel and iron. Aluminum is a tossup.

[dipren443]

You have far fewer choices with color, but if wear resistance is key, Type III anodizing, or hardcoat, offers fantastic wear resistance.

[Rebstew]

Mad fabricating skills to say the least. One wild build. I love it!

[malbright]

I all of the sudden want to build a firebird !!!! That thing is NICE!!!!!

[Jeffrotech]

I agree with the hard anodizing... tough finish (actually increases the surface hardness of the AL), and it looks tough - dark, but still shows the grain in the metal.

[dipren443]

I agree with the hard anodizing... tough finish (actually increases the surface hardness of the AL), and it looks tough - dark, but still shows the grain in the metal.

Yup, for those that know a bit about hardness measurements... Type III anodizing results in a surface hardness of Rockwell C 60-70.

[Ripped]

I like the concept and design, very well throught out. I think it all goes together nicely, without going too far from the original.

Can't wait to see it finished

[tcronkright]

Everytime I post a question to the group, I realize how little I know about the details. Great feedback again on the Type III anodizing.

Has anyone had experiece with the anodizing "spotting" or "discoloring" over time? I have heard that it looks great for the first year, but can react with the air and aluminum over time and actually milk or spot - something powder coating does not do.

[dipren443]

Everytime I post a question to the group, I realize how little I know about the details. Great feedback again on the Type III anodizing.

Has anyone had experiece with the anodizing "spotting" or "discoloring" over time? I have heard that it looks great for the first year, but can react with the air and aluminum over time and actually milk or spot - something powder coating does not do.

Pretty certain that spotting results from poor material prep prior to anodizing. Impurities in the aluminum will leach out over time and cause this issue.

As far as reacting with the air... That is exactly what anodizing is supposed to prevent. Raw aluminum will oxidize over time and on the surface will grow a layer of Al2O3, or aluminum oxide. Anodizing, in a manner of speaking, seals the surface and should prevent the aluminum from reacting with the air.

[John Wright]

Anodizing:
Be aware if the aluminum to be anodized is a welded part, make sure to use a filler material that will color match the parent material. Otherwise the results may not be what you are expecting.

[fbody_mike]

This build just gets better and better. That motor is intoxicating and the roof is simply awesome.

[PonchoJohn]

Is it done yet?? Is it done yet??

[tcronkright]

Anodizing:
Be aware if the aluminum to be anodized is a welded part, make sure to use a filler material that will color match the parent material. Otherwise the results may not be what you are expecting.

Is the same true for powder coating? What filler material should they normally use? I need to "big brother" this step based on what you are saying. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

[dipren443]

Is the same true for powder coating? What filler material should they normally use? I need to "big brother" this step based on what you are saying. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

Not true for powdercoating. Powdercoating is much like paint in its finish. The particles (or powder more specifically) has a positive charge and the parts will be grounded. The powder is then baked on. The material below has no effect.

Since anodizing is an electrolytic process, and you are chemically adhering the dye to the part, the substrate may have an effect on the surface finish depending on conducivity, porosity...

[John Wright]

Base material 6061?

In Volume 4, Seventh Edition of The Welding Handbook, in Table 8.9, for a 6061 base metal, the recommended filler metal for color match after anodizing is 5654.
I also have a probably outdated (1986) ANSI/AWS D10.7, which is the Recommended Practices for Gas Shielded Arc Welding of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Pipe. In Table 1, for a 6061 base metal, the recommended filler is ER5654, but the footnote indicates that ER5183, ER5356, and ER5556 may be used, and in some cases they provide improved color match after an anodizing treatment.

[tcronkright]

The body modifications are officially done! We finished grinding the rear diffuser and cut the holes and fit the 4" running lights and welded in the trim barrels. We also cut and finished the vents in the lower valance which will help keep the intercoolers cool.

Next week we will seal the metal and start on the finish body work. We are going to put the engine in and mock up the turbo plumbing next week as well.

As for the valve covers and intake, I have decided to keep it natural for now. The black hardware ties the engine together nicely. After SEMA, maybe I will look to anodize a few parts, but it is just too nice looking to mess with right now.

Here are some pics of the front valance with the running lights installed.

[nicks67camaro]

great project!