Anodizing and Powdercoating?

[speirmoor]

Quick Q's for those who understand both processes as chemistry is not my strongest.A quick phonecall to the local anodize shop in Brooklyn guy says he will only do aluminium parts? Is this normal practice as I wanted to darken the chrome headlight ring along with some other chrome parts.

Also when I go to the Powder coat guy what should I ask for when it comes to Black.I know theres gloss black and a flat black but is that it when it comes to black? Also Should I be worried about temperatures during the process when it comes to wheels etc?

[GuyBFF]

Aluminum is the only common metal anodized, a few others can be (zinc, titanium, magnesium and some others). So your guy is correct, steel and chrome are not anodized. If the parts have threads, they may need to be chased after anodizing, as there is some increase in thickness of the metal.

Powder coating possibilities are endless, there are all kinds of colours and sheens. You will need to remove the cush drives (a pain from what I've read) and install new ones later.

[whitelightning99]

Anodizing increases the oxide layer on aluminum parts, so the part actually "grows". The oxide layer is able to be colored with dyes, and increases wear resistance somewhat. Doesn't work on most steels, so powdercoat or paint is used on those materials.

[muzzmann]

Originally Posted by speirmoor

Quick Q's for those who understand both processes as chemistry is not my strongest.A quick phonecall to the local anodize shop in Brooklyn guy says he will only do aluminium parts? Is this normal practice as I wanted to darken the chrome headlight ring along with some other chrome parts.

Also when I go to the Powder coat guy what should I ask for when it comes to Black.I know theres gloss black and a flat black but is that it when it comes to black? Also Should I be worried about temperatures during the process when it comes to wheels etc?

Others are correct .... steel and ferrous metals cannot be anodized. Alum and other porous metals can. AS far as anodizing adding material ...its never caused me a problem particularly if you are stripping a piece previously anodized or are polishing a part prior (which is mandatory if you want it to look decent and consistent) to anodizing . Both processes remove material You will usually end up one cancelling out the other. Further only billet pieces are recommended for anodizing as cast tends to come out blotchy or inconsistent in finish due to variable density from one area to another in a cast piece even if you polish it first ...its a crap shoot...


Powder coating is not the be all to end all either. Most believe powder is almost indestructable but in my experience its not much better than paint. Having said that I have powder coated tons of parts cause I have access to the service at very reasonable rates and its quicker than paint. If you are gonna do any parts in black there is a new product out there called "super durable"black (dont know who the manufacturer is ). I have used it on the wheels on my daily driver, it holds up a lot better and seems impervious to brake dust which previous powder products were not. I since have used 'super durable " on my frame cylinders and heads and have a cylinder head and cylinder in being done as we speak. Looks great and holds up well....


Stephano

[speirmoor]

Great advice again guys Cheers

[JCPakBikes]

A little Anodizing and a little powder coating
Can you tell which is Which?

[speirmoor]

Triple and headlight bezel anodized and H bracket powdercoated?
Looks great BTW going the same direction with mine

[1duckyboy]

Reservoirs and levers anodized, the rest powdercoated. Too bad the "U" bracket couldn't be powdercoated with invisible.

[JCPakBikes]

Bars, clipons, headlight mount bracket, are Hard Anodized

the Headlight bucket, bezel, headlight bracket and Dash Ring are Powder Coated

Tanks and levers came anodized