| Author |
Topic: Clear Coat For Aluminum |
Brian Henry
|
Posted 11 Jul 2011 3:34 am |
|
My current summer project involves making a frypan style 6 string guitar out of solid aluminum 3/4" thick. I would like to get it highly polished and then sealed with some type of clear coat. I am aware of "zoop seal" "evetbrite" and clear engine laquer. Has anyone done this, and what advice do you have. Thanks!!
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
|
|
 |
Peter Harris
From:
South Australia, Australia
|
Posted 11 Jul 2011 5:05 am
|
|
Clear spray for mag wheels..... hard as... 
...although go for a few very light coats...  |
|
|
|
William Lake
From:
Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 11 Jul 2011 7:37 am
|
|
The best way would be to have it anodized. It occurs naturally over time, but the industrial way provides a beautiful finish.
It is hard as glass and is used for sandpaper..aluminum oxide.
Probably costs a fortune but maybe not. Inquire.
Oh...and you can get it in different colours as well as clear.
_________________
Bill |
|
|
|
Peter Harris
From:
South Australia, Australia
|
Posted 12 Jul 2011 5:05 am
|
|
True, anodising (or anodizing!) is the process of forming a fine layer of alum oxide on the surface via electrolytic action...this oxide layer has to then be 'cooked' in order to stabilise and harden it...(usually in a steam bath) in the process it is often dyed to achieve a coloured surface...
While granules of oxide are in fact quite hard (as in sandpaper) their bond with the underlying surface is not that secure and the resultant finish can certainly get scratched and damaged.... it's NOT hard as glass... think an alum saucepan lid that's seen a bit of service.. ok alum window frames are a bit more hard-wearing, but that industrial process usually is confined to factories set up for specific sections and architectural colo(u)rs...
Also all anodised aluminium (yes I know I spell it wrong!) surfaces are in fact a satin finish...the only way you end up with a gloss surface is to polish it with a further coating....wax, silicon, or whatever... which kind of gets you back to where you were in the first place....
....and yes, I did (in another life) study the whole process at length...there is a wealth of info about it on the net..
HTH....
.......no offense, William. |
|
|
|
William Lake
From:
Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 12 Jul 2011 7:12 am
|
|
No offense taken, Peter. I only know of anodiz(s)ing from my experience with high-end bicycle parts. Campagnola & Dura Ace.
The resulting finish would be a lot more durable than any lacquer.
_________________
Bill |
|
|
|
