Looking for a coating for Aluminum

I'm looking for a coating for polished bare Aluminum for a motorcycle fork. Something that protect it from oxidizing, staining. etc.

 

A clear cerakote coating would be pretty durable.

 

Does it bond well to bare aluminum?

 

Not in your case, Polished aluminum would provide no tooth for the cerakote to bond too. you are better off with powdercoating in your case. there are powdercoating colors that look like polished metal too if you want to go that route instead of clear.

 

www.hotrodhotline.com/shineseal-aluminum-sealer#.YSaIcEuSnIU . Seen in magazines and tv shows there are products . Try google . Heres one example .

 

How is powdercoat and the aluminum sealer on Harley Davidson front shocks?

It has to withstand road debris, sand blasting from sand on the road. Before polishing the shocks clear or powder coat were sand blasted. Looks nasty.

 

Anodizing. Powder coat won’t stick to a polished surface for long.

 

Would I have to scuff the surface before anything is applied?

 

Anodizing changes the surface structure to prevent oxidation but it won’t provide any damage resistance. No scuffing.

 

What kind of prep is needed for powder coating or something else?

 

powder coating needs sand blasting and then a epoxy primer to adhere properly. Ask me how I know.

 

Try Protectaclear by Everbrite. Or be prepared to polish every three months or so. Polished aluminum is work.

 

Chrome

 

Car wax?

@ace96 might have a good suggestion

 

You want:

• to maintain a high shine/polished look
• protection against rock chips, sand etching, etc...
• A one and done type of solution

You realistically need 2 different things, a coating to protect the look and something to protect from damage.

Powdercoating in a polished aluminum color would work for the look but it will take damage on the road.

Anodizing bare/polished aluminum could provide some protection, but any good quality Hard coat anodizing that will accomplish what you want will change the color of the surface, unless you use a silver anodizing, but colored anodizing is weaker than "clear".

you could try a ceramic coating like cquartz, this would definitely preserve the look but not sure how well it would hold up on metal vs road spray/sand/rocks.

I would say either powdercoat and then PPF or polish, then clear coat or ceramic coat, then PPF. PPF is the only thing that will protect against sand, rocks, and other debris. everything else will take damage from those factors.

Even with all that said, eventually you will need to re-polish, coat, and wrap the parts.

 

I was looking at wheel coating, because any abrasion isn't going to be seen easily. It's not a thick coating that will show chips.

As far as chrome, had it, but replace it for aluminum. Then the powder coated clear started to get chips from road debris.

It maybe better if the shocks get replace. Worried free for a few years.

 

Not sure I have anything for this one. PPF would probably be best.

 

Sharkhide might have what you’re looking for

 

FWIW, when I restored my bike, see avatar.

I polished the valve covers, radiator side cover and the clutch cover (directly behind front wheel). These parts were clear coated with a 2K Urethane automotive grade product. The work was completed in July 2011.

Your front fork won't see much "debris", mostly bug impacts and an occasional thrown road stone.

 

kashima coating
https://coating.ca/kashima-coating/
https://www.konflictmotorsports.com/suspension-store?category=Coatings
and some TI love
https://www.konflictmotorsports.com/suspension-store/ti-nitride-coating