bare alum. protection ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rodstored-72 · 02-28-2010, 11:17 PM

All,
I am building a dash & I have a bare alum. bezel (brushed alum.). I am wondering what kind of protection I can do to keep it clean? i thought about spraying a clear coat on it?? or some kind of rubbing compound to help keep it looking "brushed".

any suggestions or ideas.....

thanks!!

rodstored-72

cdowns · 03-01-2010, 01:23 PM

eastwood or local autoparts stores have a clearcoat for polished alum wheels// you lose some of the polished effect and with time it will turn milky or yellow

rodstored-72 · 03-01-2010, 03:10 PM

cdowns, so how long are you talking as far as time before it starts to discolor?? any guess...

thanks!!

72BlckButy · 03-02-2010, 09:12 PM

bump... for any experiences with this.

rodstored-72; I'm not sure there's an easy way to get around keep the dash pristine without polishing it. You might check into Mother's Billet polish if you decide to keep the dash bare.

piecesparts · 03-04-2010, 12:07 PM

The billet dash kits that you purchase from many sources (such as LMC) are NOT sealed in any way. They are billet material and they are either finished in a "Brushed" finish or a "Polished" finish. Polished is not that hard to take care of, you can polish it anytime and then use a metal protectant on it to keep the dirt and water spots out of it. I use stuff from Wizards products. It is called "Powerseal" and it works great on my polished billet. There many other brands on the market. If you have brushed aluminum, then the sealants doe not work well with the grainy finish. I have billet dash pieces in my 84 truck and it has been there for many years---I have not done anything but wipe the dirt off of it with window cleaner. A little WD-40 sprayed on a towel and wipe that onto the metal works to keep the pores from soaking up moisture.

I have made enhancement pieces from aluminum strapping or metal plates. purchased from a hardware store and I made them up in both polished or brushed finishes. I have not had any issue with these pieces and they are under the hoods of my trucks, where there is moisture and dirt.

rodstored-72 · 03-08-2010, 10:23 AM

piecesparts,
thanks for the info.! i will try your suggestions...

LONGHAIR · 03-13-2010, 05:35 PM

I have used Wheel Wax for several years. It works well w/o the dulling and discoloring you get with clearcoat type sealers.

rodstored-72 · 03-14-2010, 01:58 PM

longhair,
that is what i was looking for....thanks!!

Ger · 03-14-2010, 03:44 PM

I have an alum. dash bezel in my truck that I made and gave it a brushed look. I sprayed mine with a clear coat and that was almost 6 years ago now. It still looks a perfect now as it did when I first sprayed it.

rodstored-72 · 03-16-2010, 02:53 PM

ger,
that was my original thinking.....

thanks

Ger · 03-16-2010, 03:02 PM

I wish I had some pictures to show you. Clear coat won't stick 100% to bare alum. but being inside the truck and not exposed to the bare elements like direct sunlight and rocks hitting it, it should be ok. I put an etcher called Alodine 5700 on mine, but I did not let it sit to long on it becuse that stuff will turn the alum a blueish color. I'm not sure where a guy could buy more of neither. I use to work with alot of alum so that is what we use to use to etch the subsurface before we primed or painted it. It's a non toxic product, works very well.

msgross · 03-16-2010, 03:05 PM

they make a clear powdercoat as well... not sure on the etch that it needs to adhere though...

*Fitz* · 03-19-2010, 03:03 PM

Zoop Seal

SMORT · 03-20-2010, 02:04 PM

Woody wax

darthwall · 03-21-2010, 01:18 PM

best results I have seen are with powder coating get it done once and your set for life no scratches and no polishing cleans very easy and is extremely durable they do this with chrome parts as well if you scuff up your billet or chrome it can be a pain to get the marks out but if you scuff the clear take some rubbing compound to it and your set

rodstored-72 · 03-21-2010, 05:07 PM

thanks all....

JWall · 05-06-2010, 09:32 AM

I saw SharkHide on two guys garage the other day....

http://www.sharkhide.com/

Video here...
http://www.brentonftp.com/video/twog..._SharkHide_901

andrewmp6 · 05-11-2010, 09:21 AM

If you want to never have to worry about them there is a clear powder coat.

02-28-2010, 11:17 PM	#1
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,009	bare alum. protection ??? All, I am building a dash & I have a bare alum. bezel (brushed alum.). I am wondering what kind of protection I can do to keep it clean? i thought about spraying a clear coat on it?? or some kind of rubbing compound to help keep it looking "brushed". any suggestions or ideas..... thanks!! rodstored-72

03-01-2010, 01:23 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: bare alum. protection ??? eastwood or local autoparts stores have a clearcoat for polished alum wheels// you lose some of the polished effect and with time it will turn milky or yellow __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-01-2010, 03:10 PM	#3
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,009	Re: bare alum. protection ??? cdowns, so how long are you talking as far as time before it starts to discolor?? any guess... thanks!!

03-02-2010, 09:12 PM	#4
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: bare alum. protection ??? bump... for any experiences with this. rodstored-72; I'm not sure there's an easy way to get around keep the dash pristine without polishing it. You might check into Mother's Billet polish if you decide to keep the dash bare. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

03-04-2010, 12:07 PM	#5
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: bare alum. protection ??? The billet dash kits that you purchase from many sources (such as LMC) are NOT sealed in any way. They are billet material and they are either finished in a "Brushed" finish or a "Polished" finish. Polished is not that hard to take care of, you can polish it anytime and then use a metal protectant on it to keep the dirt and water spots out of it. I use stuff from Wizards products. It is called "Powerseal" and it works great on my polished billet. There many other brands on the market. If you have brushed aluminum, then the sealants doe not work well with the grainy finish. I have billet dash pieces in my 84 truck and it has been there for many years---I have not done anything but wipe the dirt off of it with window cleaner. A little WD-40 sprayed on a towel and wipe that onto the metal works to keep the pores from soaking up moisture. I have made enhancement pieces from aluminum strapping or metal plates. purchased from a hardware store and I made them up in both polished or brushed finishes. I have not had any issue with these pieces and they are under the hoods of my trucks, where there is moisture and dirt. __________________ Frank

03-08-2010, 10:23 AM	#6
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,009	Re: bare alum. protection ??? piecesparts, thanks for the info.! i will try your suggestions...

03-14-2010, 01:58 PM	#8
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,009	Re: bare alum. protection ??? longhair, that is what i was looking for....thanks!!

03-14-2010, 03:44 PM	#9
Ger Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Red Deer Alberta Posts: 140	Re: bare alum. protection ??? I have an alum. dash bezel in my truck that I made and gave it a brushed look. I sprayed mine with a clear coat and that was almost 6 years ago now. It still looks a perfect now as it did when I first sprayed it.

03-16-2010, 02:53 PM	#10
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,009	Re: bare alum. protection ??? ger, that was my original thinking..... thanks

03-16-2010, 03:02 PM	#11
Ger Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Red Deer Alberta Posts: 140	Re: bare alum. protection ??? I wish I had some pictures to show you. Clear coat won't stick 100% to bare alum. but being inside the truck and not exposed to the bare elements like direct sunlight and rocks hitting it, it should be ok. I put an etcher called Alodine 5700 on mine, but I did not let it sit to long on it becuse that stuff will turn the alum a blueish color. I'm not sure where a guy could buy more of neither. I use to work with alot of alum so that is what we use to use to etch the subsurface before we primed or painted it. It's a non toxic product, works very well.

03-16-2010, 03:05 PM	#12
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: bare alum. protection ??? they make a clear powdercoat as well... not sure on the etch that it needs to adhere though... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

03-19-2010, 03:03 PM	#13
Fitz Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 2,183	Re: bare alum. protection ??? Zoop Seal

03-20-2010, 02:04 PM	#14
SMORT Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Timberlake,NC Posts: 12	Re: bare alum. protection ??? Woody wax

03-21-2010, 01:18 PM	#15
darthwall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: washington Posts: 274	Re: bare alum. protection ??? best results I have seen are with powder coating get it done once and your set for life no scratches and no polishing cleans very easy and is extremely durable they do this with chrome parts as well if you scuff up your billet or chrome it can be a pain to get the marks out but if you scuff the clear take some rubbing compound to it and your set

03-21-2010, 05:07 PM	#16
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,009	Re: bare alum. protection ??? thanks all....



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05-06-2010, 09:32 AM	#17
JWall Frequent Flyer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 2,258	Re: bare alum. protection ??? I saw SharkHide on two guys garage the other day.... http://www.sharkhide.com/ Video here... http://www.brentonftp.com/video/twog..._SharkHide_901 __________________ - Justin 76 SWB C-10 - 98 SWB C1500 (x2) 1 Owner 1976 SWB Last edited by JWall; 05-06-2010 at 09:33 AM.

05-11-2010, 09:21 AM	#18
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: bare alum. protection ??? If you want to never have to worry about them there is a clear powder coat.

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