Painting Alluminum

[skegpro]

Anyone have any recommendations?

Process? Products?

 

[Dawizman]

Powder coating or anodizing are your best options for aluminum.

But if you want to paint, my old man painted aircraft for a lot of years. He said to scuff it up good with a heavy grit material, or a heavy media blasting, and then wash it and hit it with a zinc chromate primer. Make sure you have proper air filtration when using that stuff, he said they used to call it "green death".

 

[busted2x]

Need more info, what gauge, what finish are you looking for, and what application? Trailer? Sled tunnel? Hand railings?

 

[skegpro]

Need more info, what gauge, what finish are you looking for, and what application? Trailer? Sled tunnel? Hand railings?

I have a sled deck in raw alluminum, the sides looked horrible. (X-Deck)

Would like to cover them up with something. Paint, powdercoat, linex.......

 

[pfi572]

I have a sled deck in raw alluminum, the sides looked horrible. (X-Deck)

Would like to cover them up with something. Paint, powdercoat, linex.......

Probably powder coat will be the easiest and cheapest unless you are doing yourself?
Make sure they use exterior so it doesn’t fade.

Painting , the boat guys sand the aluminum and then brush Alodine on all painting surfaces .
Let set for a bit and wash off .
Dry and primer and paint.
I guess the Alodine seals the aluminum so primer and paint will stick . ‍

 

[skegpro]

Any recommendations on a powder coat place in Edmonton?

 

[ferniesnow]

I used LineX on my aluminum flat deck and it has held up friggin' awesome. Going into the 5th winter now. The only thing I would change would be to have them add a clear coat over the finished LineX. That way, it cleans easier at the car wash. They sand blast it, prime it, and do the LineX procedure. Great product!

 

[pfi572]

Yes , Linex is awesome if you like that look for sure .
Cost IMO is through the roof , at least in our area anyway .

 

[busted2x]

I have a sled deck in raw alluminum, the sides looked horrible. (X-Deck)

Would like to cover them up with something. Paint, powdercoat, linex.......

If you are doing it yourself and are looking for a cheaper but decent product, cloverdale industrial makes a good line that will work IF you sand blast it. Duraprime, then topcoat with armor-shield. Nothing other than acid wash will protect it if you don’t blast off all the oxidation. My opinion acid wash isn’t a great option unless you want to keep it raw. Get it blasted and paint it. Hpc in Edmonton sells endura, which is about as tough as it gets in the paint world, but less diy friendly, and a lot more expensive.

 

[nast70]

Any recommendations on a powder coat place in Edmonton?

Perfection Powder Coat, Impact Powder Coating, to name a few. We have used both with great results.

 

[skidoo6100]

Any recommendations on a powder coat place in Edmonton?

Dropped off my Full lotus at Impact this morning.

 

[skegpro]

Dropped off my Full lotus at Impact this morning.

So curious what they quoted you?
And what exactly are you getting done?
Sides? Whole thing?

 

[Tchetek]

Dropped off my Full lotus at Impact this morning.

Nice. I have a full lotus. Mine is white from the factory.

One of my biggest complaints about the deck was the quality of original powder coating. Mine was pour coverage to start. Thin spots, looked more like a bad paint job.

I have had other things coated by impact. Quality of their coatings far superior. Though Finnish on bike frames and bumpers. They usually blast it, Color coat it. Then clear coat it. My deck will get re coated one day.

How much?

Are you doing just the sides, and head ache rack. How difficult was it to get the sides off? Is it just the retainer at the centre tube and then disconnect the wiring somewhere?


Pics of my bumper and my kids bike

 

[TDR]

Synergy in Leduc. Patrick is awesome to deal with.

 

[MarkCos]

Impact is the best
any one know where a guy can get oil-slick coatings done ?
that would open up a hole new game of looks to think of when not on the ride

 

[MarkCos]

 

[skidoo6100]

So curious what they quoted you?
And what exactly are you getting done?
Sides? Whole thing?

I think they said $450-500. Took the headrack off and the slide out sides. I didnt shop around, it costs what it costs. I want it done right, I cant be bothered taking it apart again in 2-3 years.

 

[skegpro]

I think they said $450-500. Took the headrack off and the slide out sides. I didnt shop around, it costs what it costs. I want it done right, I cant be bothered taking it apart again in 2-3 years.

That sounds pretty reasonable to me.

I think I will do the same once the season is over.