Polished aluminim pieces looking bad

[cyclepat650]

when i did the carb rebuild over the winter i took the aluminum carb caps to work and with help we polished them and they looked like chrome when they were done, beautiful. now less than a year later they are looking like they need done again, what can be done to keep them looking good or seal in the shiny? thanks

[chuck hahn]

Wizards power seal

[Nessism]

Clear powdercoat.

[SocialAnomaly99]

Clear powder coat is probably gonna be the longest lasting solution. Just make sure you remove all of the polishing compound from the part before you put the powder on it. Acetone and a 15 minute bake at 400 F will do the trick.

[Ecklund]

Clear powdercoat.

Is that a typical factory method of sealing or is the coating I've seen on aluminum parts some other material?

[SocialAnomaly99]

Is that a typical factory method of sealing or is the coating I've seen on aluminum parts some other material?

Depends on the era. Almost any metal component these days is either electro plated or powder coated coming out of the factory. Curing time is significantly shorter, so turnover is much faster. We powder coat all kinds of aftermarket components for a variety of automotive applications.

[Ecklund]

Depends on the era. Almost any metal component these days is either electro plated or powder coated coming out of the factory. Curing time is significantly shorter, so turnover is much faster. We powder coat all kinds of aftermarket components for a variety of automotive applications.

Seems like a good answer for a lot of stuff.

I admit I had not heard of 'clear' powder coat, but it makes sense as the powder doesn't necessarily have to have pigment.

When you say we, can I assume you work in a powder coat shop?

[SocialAnomaly99]

When you say we, can I assume you work in a powder coat shop?

Powder coat, metal restoration & light fab. Both of my bikes have Powder coated frames now. Great stuff

[Nessism]

Anodizing is extremely popular with aluminum. It's not something that you typically would do at home though. Power coating can be done pretty easily from home though. Harbor Freight sells a budget spray gun and then all you need is an oven to cure the stuff.