Clear coating polished aluminum

[bugedd]

All this talk to windscreen rebuilding has be itching to do that next. I was going to have the screen and posts polished, but one thing I found after having my cockpit surrounds polished is that after a season of use, they look pretty dull. Has anyone had experience with having the aluminum polished, then clear powdercoated? I'd imagine they would hold up like wheels that are done the same way.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I can not comment on clear coating the frame, but we use this one billet wheels and it works well:
https://www.detailedimage.com/Poorboys-World-M1/Wheel-Sealant-P40/8-oz-S1/#product-description

You would need to reapply it after washing, but it is easy to use.

If your clear coating gets chipped or scratched it it hard to fix, but if there is no coating then if is a simple sand/rebuff to fix.

 

[bug_sixty]

The items listed were polished AND anodized from the factory.. I had mine redone twenty years ago they are as shiny as back then..

 

[Jimflorida]

I used Glisten PC, a 2-part clear finish for polished aluminum and other metals made by POR-15 on my windshield posts. Just painted it on and it flowed out nicely with no brush marks. I am pleased enough with the job. Jim

 

[jlaird]

Miss Agatha had hers polished and anodized.

 

[Rut]

I can tell you that after visiting with Jack and admiring Miss Agatha, I'm sending my aluminum out to the same people who did his. The finished work is absolutely beautiful and durable. I've looked at a lot of Bugeyes over the past several years and the details on Miss Agatha set her apart. I'm using the same blaster and painter in N AL as well...both Tony and Jack were well pleased with the results and I can see why.
Rut

 

[Westfield_XI]

I used Glisten PC, a 2-part clear finish for polished aluminum and other metals made by POR-15 on my windshield posts. Just painted it on and it flowed out nicely with no brush marks. I am pleased enough with the job. Jim

I used Glisten on my nickel plated suspension pieces and it worked well. No chips so far and it still shines like new. Be sure not to shake the can, just stir it, if not you will get bubbles in the finish. Ask me how I know......

 

[bug_sixty]

Note that the most costly part of the process is the polishing (rubbing out) of the scratches etc. Any deep gouges present a problem in anodizing.. So.. the more quality work you do(have done)prior to taking in the lesser the quote..You pay the plater not for the equipment but for their attention to detail..

 

[rkep01]

Bugedd - Check out this site as an alternative to clear coat or anodizing. https://www.sharkhide.com/

 

[bugedd]

I am curious about the anodizing process. I didn't realize that was how they finished the parts. Does that process dull it down after the polishing?

 

[jgrewe]

I just ordered some new clear powdercoat to try on a project. I've tried 3 or 4 clears of various gloss levels and I've been told this new one is the clearest/highest gloss yet. I will polish and coat a spare piece of surround once I have it and post it up. I'm undecided on what to do with my own so we can find out how it will look.

 

[bug_sixty]

Well yes in a way..the reflective qualities are less intense than with other coating methods I've seen. The windshield posts produce the most marked difference. Anything but anodized and they don't even come close to looking like factory.. On another note: Anodizing by the factory was probably one of the cheaper coating options.. treating brandie new parts was a piece of cake... The soft metal qualities of the cabin trim along with the repeditive attaching and removal of harder metal side curtains and bow produced may scratchs to their surfaces or worse.. Trying to restore beat up parts for anodizing is a laborious and time consuming process.. ie. bottom line in my opinion other methods including the afore mentioned produce good and less expensive results..but they just ain't like the factory look stuff...

 

[jlaird]

Bugeye posts were painted. Same as the wheel rims. At least by 1959 and 1960.

 

[bugedd]

I guess I should state that I'm not restoring the car. I appreciate polished and brilliant pieces of aluminum. It simply looks good. The car will be modded and although keeping it a-series, will not original by any means.

 

[bug_sixty]

I know my plated posts look about the same shade of silver as the wheels... From our eighty's research and confering with the plater back then on some sample factory originals, we concluded they were anodized...Tell me about how drew to the conclusion they were painted..

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I think the painted theory comes from some NOS replacements that were painted.
I have an early '58 so I know mine were painted. :wink:

 

[bug_sixty]

58's were painted.. My first car was one of those unique bugs..The windshield design difference (and posts)were a carryover from their big brother in the Sprites first production year...Now, that's my theory anyway..I noticed sometime ago the 58 Big One had simular design concepts...

 

[bug_sixty]

heh I know what your saying.. about getting anal about the original deal..the issue for you is the appearance...back on an earlier post..the main concern in keeping the Alum (soft metal) surround pieces looking new (not scratching the surface when putting on side curtains etc.) is a challenge. The anodizing process not only solved the sealing issue but also provided a hardend surface film that was better at withstanding abrasions..Now that being said, I'm confident that the wonderful new coatings of the 21st century especially in the aviation industry are better than back when at solving this issue..

 

[jgrewe]

I was thinking about dipping the brackets on the side curtains in that tool handle rubber coating to protect the surrounds.

https://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

Anybody try that?

 

[bug_sixty]

great idea.. Let's us know what you think afterward. post!