Topic: Glass beading cases and leaving them natural. Pros and Cons

[IHWillys]

...I do like anodizing.  

To further muddy this thread, hehe...

A point to consider with some preperatory methods and coatings/surface treatments is their affect on the strength of the base metal.

Anodizing can significantly decrease the fatigue life of aluminum.  A common process of cleaning the aluminum in prep reduces the fatigue life and then the anodizing process further reduces it.  

I only recently became aware of this myself.  

Ken

[MCRider]

Got this return email from the blasters:
"Ron,
Regarding your motorcycle parts.
We only use Soda in our Big blast booth. The rate is $150.00 per hour.
Small parts could be blown around.
I recommend we use plastic media in a small blast cabinet at $60.00 per hour.
We do this type of work alot and I would be happy to discuss the options while we look at the parts.
 
Thanks,

Mike Knauss
IDS Blast Finishing"

So I told him I'd load them up and briing them by. I like his attitude. They only do blasting and evidently, all types. Many of the blasters I've talked to do it as a prelude to powdercoating, which is their real thing. They look at it as a necessary evil.

It wil be several weeks, I'll report back. Got to get back on the frame work first.

[Lazyjay]

Cleaning the patio is one of the most important thing to do in order to maintain the durability and strength of it. Most of the times, anodizing decreases the fatigue life of the patio furniture. Using of soda will sometimes help to remove the old paint.

[kayaker43]

Harbor Freight has cheap soda blasters, do it yourself in the driveway, then hose it down and be done.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66742

+1 on the powder coating, its way better than any paint. Patio furniture may use electrostatic paint or most likely they just skip the prep procedures?

Having said that I found something better for engine parts. Paint is OK for a display bike but its never as durable as the OEM finish. Powder coating is durable, but thicker and it insulates so less cooling.

I used a product called Kal Gard on my superbike engines back in the 70's. They are now called KG coatings

http://www.kgcoatings.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=10&pg=1

I used the original Gun Kote which was designed to protect military weapons. You have to sandblast (or soda), then warm up the part in your oven. Spray it on with an airbrush and the solvent flashes right off so its easy to avoid runs and get good coverage. Then bake in the oven to cure. Its faster and easier than it sounds.

A strip of metal coated this way can be bent back 180 degrees and pounded with a hammer. The very thin coating will not chip or flake, you have to scratch or physically remove metal to remove the color. There is no noticable film thickness unlike paint and especially powder which is very thick. because of this it actually enhances heat transfer for better cooling. I did brake calipers and even coated the bores which still look perfect after 30 years. I haven't found a solvent that bothers it. They also have piston and gear coatings.

The original Gun Kote was a cool gun metal grayish color which looked great on a racebike, but the 2400 series comes in many colors. I haven't seen any of the new colors but the old stuff had a pleasing satin finish.

Buy a soda blaster, and a cheap airbrush from Harbor Freight,.. but better wait till the wife is at work before cooking your engine in the oven.

[ken736cc]

Here are pictures of ny sandcast engine. Everything was glass beaded when it was apart.

[moham]

Regards from the problem for the patio furniture, it is important to keep patio furniture in good condition to maintain. You can add some moisture to the furniture and get rid of the problem. You might to clean it regularly.

wow, brought this thread back to life to talk about patio furniture? how bizarre...

I mean, it was a good thread and all...

[bucky katt]

i wish i had done that instead of painting. i got a carb leak a few days after putting it back on the road now the cases look like crap again.

[mgbgt89]

I've considered powder coating too, but was unsure if the baking temp would distort the crank bores.

FJ

Indy Powder Coating, with whom I am/will be/maybe dealing, say they do it all the time. Lots of examples, mostly Harley customs. But same fears apply: prep, masking, cleanup, baking. I guess its all in a days work.

I've heard great things about that place.

[MCRider]

I've considered powder coating too, but was unsure if the baking temp would distort the crank bores.

FJ

Indy Powder Coating, with whom I am/will be/maybe dealing, say they do it all the time. Lots of examples, mostly Harley customs. But same fears apply: prep, masking, cleanup, baking. I guess its all in a days work.

I've heard great things about that place.

Yes I had them do the PC on my frame and extra parts.(build thread in signature)

As far as this thread, I had IDS glass bead the cases, I cleaned them and painted them with Rustoleum high temp paint. Engine not reassembled yet.