is there anyone that knows about polishing and stuff ? (aluminium advice)

Gator · April 25, 2009, 11:00:00 AM

look at this nice shiny setup

whats the best way to keep it looking like that i guess a clearcoat ? if so which one

or is there another way

F Body · April 25, 2009, 11:42:15 AM

Quoting: Gator

is there anyone that knows about polishing and stuff ?

Well I do have mine own smilie

Wouldn't recommend clear coat lacquer on an engine part, it will start to flake and look crabby

If you want it really shiney it's out with the dremmel and Autosol

Then you'll just have to give it a buff up every week to get the high gloss finish back

Gator · April 25, 2009, 12:20:00 PM

i dont want to have to polish it every week though martin no sir

F Body · April 25, 2009, 12:31:01 PM

Quoting: Gator

i dont want to have to polish it every week though martin no sir

I've used some of that chrome finish paint with a degree of success, although it wasn't on an engine part

It's about 75% as good as chrome but is really shiney

http://www.paintsprays.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=229\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.paintsprays.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=229

Gator · April 25, 2009, 12:47:22 PM

it doesnt have to be super shiny i quite like the aly look i just want to stop it oxiding really

HardRockCamaro · April 25, 2009, 01:05:59 PM

You might get away with powdercoat laquer...

It's tougher and should take up to 150(?) degrees or so as it bakes at 170...

Gator · April 25, 2009, 01:25:17 PM

cheers Andy eastwood to a clearcoat that goes to 150c jobs a goodun

Rocky · April 25, 2009, 01:37:54 PM

You can paint engines with 2k but unsure of clearing bare alloy due to the powder forming under the clear like on alloy wheels

Gator · April 25, 2009, 03:16:30 PM

i reckon this will do it then 150c can be sprayed direct onto ally

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=7939&frostProductName=Eastwoods%20Clear%20%20-%20Gloss%20Finish%20for%20Bare%20Metal%20Surfaces%20(312g)&catID=24&frostCat=Painting&frostSubCat=Eastwood&subCatID=32\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">eastwood clear

Rocky · April 25, 2009, 03:19:19 PM

looks ok, not sure what it will look like after a while though

F Body · April 25, 2009, 03:27:35 PM

Quoting: Rocky

not sure what it will look like after a while though

If it's anything like the silver paint that I lacquered on my Honda's headstock, it will craze and discolour from the engine heat

Rocky · April 25, 2009, 03:45:23 PM

Thats what i would be worried about

Andy · April 26, 2009, 11:53:05 AM

Ally is a really difficult material to keep clean as it oxideds really quickly, it is also difficult to laquer or paint because it produces its own oily deposit on top after you've polished or scotch brighted it. (Run your hand across a piece of ally thats be rubbed up)

The only surface treatment I know of that will preserve a finish to any level is anodising it. This is the treatment those colourful adaptors on NOS and fuel kits get. It is literally a surface treatment which with a dye can colour the top if the material.

It ain't cheap for a good job, and often those people who do good jobs have to take on a minimum quantity, though we've done it at work for one of prototypes walking in the back door with a bit of cash.

Am struggling to remember much else from my college work...

Gator · April 26, 2009, 12:00:32 PM

aye its a pain in the arse

i am getting the timing cover powdered black and leaving the pump natural

art b · April 26, 2009, 02:12:03 PM

do frosts do one of their plating kits that colour....?

you can do lots of items....

FUBAR · April 26, 2009, 05:55:05 PM

Quoting: Gator

it doesnt have to be super shiny i quite like the aly look i just want to stop it oxiding really

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9572&frostProductName=Aluma%20Blast%20(340g)%20Aerosol&catID=24&frostCat=Painting&frostSubCat=Eastwood&subCatID=32\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9572&frostProductName=Aluma%20Blast%20(340g)%20Aerosol&catID=24&frostCat=Painting&frostSubCat=Eastwood&subCatID=32

would this stuff work?

FUBAR · April 26, 2009, 05:58:39 PM

Quoting: Andy

It ain't cheap for a good job, and often those people who do good jobs have to take on a minimum quantity

If you're thinking of anodising, your could try looking into the Paintballing community... as some of their suppliers get very good at doing some detailled anodising work...

(My Old Marker)

not sure if they take on custom stuff but it'd probably be worth asking.

Gator · April 26, 2009, 06:12:34 PM

Quoting: FUBAR

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9572&frostProductName=Aluma%20Blast%20(340g)%20Aerosol&catID=24&frostCat=Painting&frostSubCat=Eastwood&subCatID=32\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9572&frostProductName=Aluma%20Blast%20(340g)%20Aerosol&catID=24&frostCat=Painting&frostSubCat=Eastwood&subCatID=32

would this stuff work?

hmmm liking that

FUBAR · April 26, 2009, 06:14:42 PM

is 120 deg C high enough?

They alse sell one called "Detail Grey" which is a bit darker for rough cast stuff, I painted the body of my alternator with it when rebuilding it earlier this year.