clear coat for bare aluminum (?)

[xluben 10+ year member]

any suggestions for coating bare aluminum for added durability?

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[squeak12 10+ year member]

Maybe a search on google?

I would think it would adhere since its been sanded down a little, aka brushed, and most parts that get painted are some alloy of aluminum, but Im not sure. You could always test on a scrap piece.

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

No kind of powder-coat is going to icrease its durability unless you rhino line it...

IMO, just polish it. It'll look soo much nicer if dont right...

 

[chuksw9ve 10+ year member]

Aluminum is a turd to paint...Have you ever tried to polish aluminum...in a week its all dull again.It oxidizes quick...but once it does,it shouldnt get any worse.

 

[xluben 10+ year member]

No kind of powder-coat is going to icrease its durability unless you rhino line it...
IMO, just polish it. It'll look soo much nicer if dont right...

it's polished, i'd like to stop the natural tarnishing of aluminum that will cause it to look dull after a bit of handling.

is clear coat (krylon, etc) going to hold up?

btw, this is for a shift knob.

 

[MrSector9 10+ year member]

i would have it powder coated in clear instead of painted.

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

oo, you mean durability as in the luster? When I worked for a machine shop we did a couple things to the aluminum. After deburring it, we'd hit it with some light grit sandpaper to get the low spots out, then buff it with scotch brite and wash it with some dish soap. It gives it a sort of "dull shine" that looks natural but dont expect it to stay around long, especially with a shift knob. I would simply powder coat it but its going to feel sticky if you dont wash it with some dish soap...

 

[xtremekustomz 10+ year member]

polish it and put a sealer on it. I believe it is called zook seal? something like that. It is EXTREMELY expensive though.

 

[Wonger 10+ year member]

Shouldn't it be fine if it is a shift knob. The oils from you have with continous use will keep the small scratches away. Just look at the brushed aluminum handrails they get shiny from use. Just don't scrape it hard.