Black finish on aluminium

[stigzler]

Having to get a custom bezel type thing cut and formed. To keep costs down - it'll come as bare aluminum. Anyone know a home friendly way to realize a gloss/vinyl black finish on aluminum? Seen variety of techniques around the interweb - PlastiDip; Gun-kote+bake but wondering if anyone's had experience?

[SavannahLion]

Black should be possible from what I've read.

Google anodizing. Bunch of howtos on DIY sites.

A full sized CP might require a little creativity though.

[Slippyblade]

Could always just get a smooth finish powder coat.

[ChanceKJ]

Powercoating isn't cheap. Well, it kinda is, but if you're lucky to have a local shop I'd get a quote anyways.  The finish is next level. I had a bunch of things coated for my current build, and it was all for under $100

[aldub516]

I used a lot of aluminum for my corners and edges it looks great, but it was a nightmare painting it.  I tried several spray paints and protectors and found they chip very easy. Coupled with temperature problems in my workshop, I went through hell painting them the first few times. I blame it on lack of patience and technique. Good luck! For my next project I found awesome diamond plate edging, as well as colored, and even plastic materials.

[stigzler]

Thanks folks. I'm thinking powder coating may be a little beyond my budget. The custom metalwork will come in around £20 for a 610mm x 150mm size thingy. Powder coating looks like it may cost significantly more than that.

Home anodizing doesn't look an option either due to the size of the piece.

So back to those spray/wipe on and bake solutions (shake and bake Ricky B..)...

Anyone had any reasonable success with these approaches?

Wondering about this Plasti-coat/dip line - they do say they're tough and durable...

[yotsuya]

Just sand it a bit to give the alum some bite,  then use a good primer like Rustoleum, then paint. Works for me every time.  The scuffing is the key.

[stigzler]

Cheers Yotsuya. What paint?

[yotsuya]

Rustoleum Satin black. I use aluminum for my marquee brackets on weecade projects with no issue. The primer really helps with the bonding. If I can find automotive primer,  I'll use that as well.

[stigzler]

Nice one. Cheers chap.

[ChanceKJ]

Try looking for the Rustolium Painters Touch line. And the matching primer. It's worked like a charm for my last two builds.

[Speed Racer]

Just sand it a bit to give the alum some bite,  then use a good primer like Rustoleum, then paint. Works for me every time.  The scuffing is the key.

This. Scuff it up and clean it real good so your primer has something to bond to. I have had success using an "etch" primer.

I can also recommend rustoleum for the black top coats.

[RandyT]

Aluminum is very challenging.  The metal is unique in that it starts oxidizing immediately, making it difficult for anything to stick to it.  This is why some paints will scratch right off.  It's only stuck to the oxide layer.

You'll want to look for special primers which eat through the oxide, bond to the metal and seal it.  The rustoleum etch primer seems to be one of these, but there are probably other pre-treatments which do something similar.

[keilmillerjr]

Powercoating isn't cheap. Well, it kinda is, but if you're lucky to have a local shop I'd get a quote anyways.  The finish is next level. I had a bunch of things coated for my current build, and it was all for under $100

Powdercoating is relatively cheap when it you have items that are made of an easy metal to degas and you have quantity. The shop owners have to buy the powder. You save money if you go with a powder that they already have. 2 pieces of extruded aluminum angle stock would done in black would be real cheap.

[surface tension]

I'd suggest approaching some local finishers. They should be able to stick your job in with someone elses without breaking the bank.

[ChanceKJ]

Yeah I meant cheap in relevance to the apparent budget the OP described. But yeah. I'd check out some local shops. See what you can find. 

[stigzler]

Thanks chaps - narrowed down the options nicely.

[behrmr]

Couldn't you just apply a vinyl overlay to get the vinyl look you're after?  Or does the shape of it prevent that?