12 replies to this topic

[minilee94]

I have an alloy rocker cover the polished one whats the best paint to use and other materials to prep and paint it

Will I need to remove the clear coat that's on there !! I think there clear coated might be wrong

Thanks

[tiger99]

Most people just polish them, but if you really want to paint it, first degrease and use a chemical stripper to remobe the lacquer, followed by a very quick etch in caustic soda. Then prime, possibly with epoxy, and paint with a suitable top coat of your choice. The rocker cover should not run all that hot, under 100 deg C, so you should not need an exotic high temperature paint. Hammerite is ok, for instance, although I don't like it.

 

Or you could take the cover to be anodised in a colour of your choice. Google for anodizing in your area.

[minilee94]

Okay brilliant thanks

[Dusky]

They also sell anodizing spray paint

 

grtz

[minilee94]

Who sells that ? Cheers

[Will16]

If I were you, go to bare metal. Degrease, then prime, paint, and clear coat it. My favourite spray paint is "Rustoleum". Apples really well to metal, would recommend primer first though. Comes in loads of colours too.

[Dusky]

Who sells that ? Cheers

VHT sells annondizing sprays

 

( http://www.vhtpaint....ducts/anodized/ )

 

[minilee94]

Nice the only thing is they don't sell black :/

Edited by minilee94, 26 January 2014 - 04:44 PM.

[tiger99]

I must admit that it looks very good, but I am surprised that they dare to suggest that it is anodized, because it isn't. Nothing wrong with what it is, which seems to be just a particular variant of standard metallic paint, an admixture of fine metal particles and lacquer. Maybe the metallic particles are anozized, but I can't see how that would be possible. It seems that you need all 4 rattle cans to prep and paint it properly, so it may be slightly expensive.

 

But it is all a matter of personal choice, if we like the look, we inevitably end up spending the money,and as I said, it does look good...

 

In Model Engineer's Workshop a while back there was a series on doing real anodizing at home. It is not all that difficult, although dangerous chemicals including sulphuric acid are involved. If I wanted a small amount done, I would leave it to the professionals, but if you wanted to anodize every ali part on the car, including wheels, it may be viable to set up the process at home. There is an interesting article here, which avoids the acid:

 

http://www.observati...ttery-acid.html

[Mini Manannán]

I must admit that it looks very good, but I am surprised that they dare to suggest that it is anodized, because it isn't. 

 

 

http://www.observati...ttery-acid.html

 

I wondered that but it doesn't actually suggest it's anodised "Now DIYers can create an anodized look under their hoods. This unique transparent coating creates an anodized effect over properly prepared chrome, shiny bare metal and faux chrome-like surfaces for a spectacular metallic finish "  

 

The link looks interesting, we've been using battery acid for anodising for years and only just found out that there is an alternative.

[maccers]

You could look at powder coating it? They come in all manner of colours including black...!

[minilee94]

The time I pay someone to powder it or dip it tho I might aswell go and buy a black cover

[maccers]

When I'm not in a hurry the power coater I use can put my lot in with a bigger load for blasting/cleaning and coating to save some dosh. I know what you mean, although having a bespoke colour something or other that looks like its standard but you cant buy is kinda special!