understanding clear coat...

[Bull85]

ok, so I am polishing all my engine covers, I am fine with that process, and hours of work. But what I have been searching for here, and googling like mad, is an answer on clear coat.......
maybe some of the guys who have done all the nice polishing can ease my brain.

Do I need it. or will I be re polishing every other day.

will it make all my hard work polishing these, look dull?

WHAT TYPE?

after clear coat would you clean the same as painted surfaces? its not like I need mothers polish on clear coated aluminum?.?.?

anyone have pics of clear coated polished parts? I see lots of pics without but nothing after the clear coat.

im just worried all my hard work will go down the drain, with yellowing or dull looking covers......... I think I have the blinders on now, and just cant seem to get straight answers on clear coating
any ideas, or expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all.

 

[arfstrom]

Keep you eye open for a UV blocker, that will prevent it from yellowing. Check YouTube before you get too far. says the guy that powdercoated the shineys, so I don't have to worry about all that. And spray painted it black.

 

[Bull85]

I have been reading about anodizing, with a lot of mixed reviews. heard it can be delicate......
has anyone tried this? I searched the forum but got 0 threads.....

at this point im almost thinking to just leave it, and just do the maintenance, and keep polished. everyone has mixed emotions on the process, and the effects they get.
I really just don't want to have to keep stripping clear coats to get back what I had......

 

[Bull85]

Keep you eye open for a UV blocker, that will prevent it from yellowing. Check YouTube before you get too far. says the guy that powdercoated the shineys, so I don't have to worry about all that. And spray painted it black.

how does the powder coat in the shineys hold up to chipping?

 

[motoTrooper]

Clearcoat will bring the finish of polished aluminum down a tone or so in brightness. Anodizing billet aluminum is no problem, but is iffy with cast pieces apparently. There is a product called ACF50 developed for the aircraft industry that is designed to protect raw aluminum from corrosion. Cheap enough and does the job.

 

[esmith87]

I'm not sure how it holds up to heat, but POR15 makes something called Glisten PC, engineered for conditions in the Australian Outback, it should be up to the task.

 

[arfstrom]

I powder coated my engine, and shineys so I don't have to worry about taking care of the aluminum that I have exposed while trying make it shine brighter. So I noticed some Aluminum corrosion going on, and since my engine was out, I did it. It is suppose to be fused together, can take a beating, and keep on beating back.

http://powder365.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4996 about Anodizing, and UV with in first two posts.

Benefits of ...
http://www.kitsappowdercoating.com/benefits.htm

just incase you meant to ceramic coat something
http://www.libertypowdercoatings.com/high_temp_ceramic_coatings.htm

 

[Bull85]

I powder coated my engine, and shineys so I don't have to worry about taking care of the aluminum that I have exposed while trying make it shine brighter. So I noticed some Aluminum corrosion going on, and since my engine was out, I did it. It is suppose to be fused together, can take a beating, and keep on beating back.

http://powder365.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4996 about Anodizing, and UV with in first two posts.

Benefits of ...
http://www.kitsappowdercoating.com/benefits.htm

just incase you meant to ceramic coat something
http://www.libertypowdercoatings.com/high_temp_ceramic_coatings.htm

Thanks for the good read!
I think this year I will polish them, and try them left alone and see how fast they go off. but with up keep and a mirror finish, it shouldn't be too hard with a bit of maintenance every so often.
next winter when I tear down engine, I will defiantly look into powder coating that.
Thanks for all your help. those sites helped.