ridesrx
New member
Alright guys, here's the deal with aluminum. I've been in the body business for almost 20 years. And I've been a jobber salesman for 15 years. So I have a little expirence with painting.
First of all, Bulldog doesn't do anything for aluminum. Heck is doesn't even work on painted surfaces, which it was intended for. That bedliner is sticking because of it's own adhesion properties. Not the Bulldog. It's a waste of money.
First, Clean it with a good wax and grease remover. Wipe it on wet, don't let it dry, and wipe back off. This will lift and suspend the grease and other contaminants that are on the surface, and then by wiping it off, you'll pick up the contaminants in the towel. Don't use lacquer thinner for this.
Then sand with 320 grit or 400 grit, blow off with air, and re-clean using the above procedure. Tack it off using a new tack rag. Now your ready to apply a good self etching primer, or a wash primer to the alum. You don't need to cover the alum completely. Two light coats with a five or ten minute flash time is best.
Let that dry completely according to the directions, Then apply sealer and topcoat. The Yamahas I've had with a painted tunnel were a matte finish on my SRX and my SX600r. You can clear them if you wish, but they'll be shinyer than they were from the factory. Or use a matte clear.
Now a urethane clear will be plenty flexible for aluminum. There are plenty of cars out on the road with alum panels on them. Not to mention semi trucks and airplanes. Not a problem with flexability or durability. It won't crack. Even without a flex agent.
You will definately see a difference between a painted surface and a powdercoated surface. Powdercoat is durable, but looks heavy and has a grapefruit like texture. Not a finish I'd like on my machine, but to each his own.
The most important thing to remember is get it clean and free from grease and oil. Then get that etch primer on it. If you don't, it won't last. I could go on , but I'm running out of room.
First of all, Bulldog doesn't do anything for aluminum. Heck is doesn't even work on painted surfaces, which it was intended for. That bedliner is sticking because of it's own adhesion properties. Not the Bulldog. It's a waste of money.
First, Clean it with a good wax and grease remover. Wipe it on wet, don't let it dry, and wipe back off. This will lift and suspend the grease and other contaminants that are on the surface, and then by wiping it off, you'll pick up the contaminants in the towel. Don't use lacquer thinner for this.
Then sand with 320 grit or 400 grit, blow off with air, and re-clean using the above procedure. Tack it off using a new tack rag. Now your ready to apply a good self etching primer, or a wash primer to the alum. You don't need to cover the alum completely. Two light coats with a five or ten minute flash time is best.
Let that dry completely according to the directions, Then apply sealer and topcoat. The Yamahas I've had with a painted tunnel were a matte finish on my SRX and my SX600r. You can clear them if you wish, but they'll be shinyer than they were from the factory. Or use a matte clear.
Now a urethane clear will be plenty flexible for aluminum. There are plenty of cars out on the road with alum panels on them. Not to mention semi trucks and airplanes. Not a problem with flexability or durability. It won't crack. Even without a flex agent.
You will definately see a difference between a painted surface and a powdercoated surface. Powdercoat is durable, but looks heavy and has a grapefruit like texture. Not a finish I'd like on my machine, but to each his own.
The most important thing to remember is get it clean and free from grease and oil. Then get that etch primer on it. If you don't, it won't last. I could go on , but I'm running out of room.
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PowerValve-700
New member
ridesrx: The guy that's doing AJ's powdercoating also done some work for me and it's smooth as hell! His black is smoother and glossier than the paint on my new truck, it almost looks like it's liquid.
AJ, I know what you want to do, black out the whole sled, so best bet is to save up and powdercoat the tunnel, BJ should have an oven big enough for tunnels by the end of the summer or sooner.
What do you think about going with a hammertone?
AJ, I know what you want to do, black out the whole sled, so best bet is to save up and powdercoat the tunnel, BJ should have an oven big enough for tunnels by the end of the summer or sooner.
What do you think about going with a hammertone?
ridesrx
New member
Sounds like he has the powdercoating thing figured out. Nobody around here has. One thing I've learned is the definition of smooth and glossy is a relative term. Relative to who is looking at it. I have people tell me all the time they can get their clear to lay down like glass, then I see it and I think "his definition of glass is alot different than mine." I would like to see the guys work, it sounds like he does great stuff.
sxviper32
New member
ya, i agree ridesrx. some guys powdercoatin is good and can get super smooth (not as smooth as a guy who's been behind a gun for some years and for sure can't beat color sanding) but there are others that look like orange peel.
auji700triple
New member
Neil.... Like you pointed out to me, It costs probably 500$ or so to Powder Coat my whole tunnel, maybe i should, i dont know. but my sled is on hold and my truck is on the go. but once i get my sled going then ill let you know what im gonna do. im not sure on painting it or powdercoating.
Paint - cheap/easy to apply, not very durable
p/c - Costly/east to apply, Extremly Durable.... What one sounds better? haha im not sure, but when he gets his Big Oven let me know will you? thanks!!
when i gets my stuff, Lets go mudden!! lol Check out my posts on www.fordtruckworld.com the Name on it is *Auji351Mod*
Paint - cheap/easy to apply, not very durable
p/c - Costly/east to apply, Extremly Durable.... What one sounds better? haha im not sure, but when he gets his Big Oven let me know will you? thanks!!
when i gets my stuff, Lets go mudden!! lol Check out my posts on www.fordtruckworld.com the Name on it is *Auji351Mod*
PowerValve-700
New member
He's only new to powdercoating, started last winter. He went to school for auto body and has painted his share of cars so I guess powdercoating came natural? It doesn't look like he does anything special but he makes it look so easy, I think even I could probably do it lol. Next time he does something black I'll have to get a close up pic, it amazing.
Here's a video of him doing some handle bars:
http://media.putfile.com/Powdercoating
Here's my diff covers he done for me, it's the third thing he's ever powdercoated, I'm very happy with them:
Here's a video of him doing some handle bars:
http://media.putfile.com/Powdercoating
Here's my diff covers he done for me, it's the third thing he's ever powdercoated, I'm very happy with them:
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PowerValve-700
New member
AJ I'm reading through your posts on FTW right now, welcome to FTW! Now get some pics and create a gallery! 