Bead blasting.

[Deleted account 111026]

I've now bought myself a bead-blast cabinet for my café-racer project, all the engine casings, bevel box housing, etc now look like new!
However.....I'm going to have to ride it at some time and it's going to get dirty.
What is considered the best method of protecting the bare aluminium?
I've been given a spraycan of GT85, but I remember being told years ago that hair lacquer is good for sealing the surface.
Any opinions? (Not on the hair lacquer brands, I've always found Harmony gives my hair that natural look!).

 

[cheb]

I was told that using walnut shell as the blasting medium would clean and protect aluminium.

 

[Blackal]

Any aluminium (wheels, engine casings etc) should be cleaned with Acetone prior to coating with laquer.

You can get it online from companies that cater for fiberglass repair materials - probably easier (and cheaper) than getting it from a chemist.

Have a Google for "aluminium laquer" for the best type.


Al

 

[BegesRus]

First stone chip and the laquer will spider - horrible - don't do it

 

[Timpo]

Get it anodised in grey, ie, same colour as aluminium. Hardens up the surface and prevents oxidation.....

 

[Blackal]

First stone chip and the laquer will spider - horrible - don't do it

A pal of mine has factory-finishied laquer on the casings of his Triumph Thruxton, and the only area that has spidered - is where they have re-tightened the Allen bolts.

Al

 

[Deleted account 111026]

Thanks for all the information, after consideration, I've decided to paint the fork legs with Hammerite smooth silver after priming with U-POL Etch Primer,
the engine, etc, will be left as blasted, but sealed with a coat of the GT85.
The bike won't be used during winter so hopefully this will suffice.

 

[(RIP) ugg]

I've now bought myself a bead-blast cabinet for my café-racer project, all the engine casings, bevel box housing, etc now look like new!
However.....I'm going to have to ride it at some time and it's going to get dirty.
What is considered the best method of protecting the bare aluminium?
I've been given a spraycan of GT85, but I remember being told years ago that hair lacquer is good for sealing the surface.
Any opinions? (Not on the hair lacquer brands, I've always found Harmony gives my hair that natural look!).

Get it re coated, or polish it for the rest of your life.


ugg

 

[fayeslane]

For what it's worth I have bead blasted and soda blasted engines, drive housings and hubs without removing them from the frame to keep them looking new. Lots of masking required, plenty of care and a thorough clean up with compressed air. It's a quick way to bring back that new look every year or so. Beads are about A$60 for a 25kg bag so it's not an expensive job -you will only use a couple of Kgs.

Yes, the glass beads will find their way into to every aperture -especially on the bike! GOOD PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING.