Aluminum Core Support [Painting, stripping, restoration]

[CDUNIGAN1981]

The only thing about "clear" anodized is that even if you polish it before it's anodized it still comes out looking grey. Also if it were me and I were to have a part that is going to see weather and abuse from chemicals and rocks, I'd opt for hard anodized but you only have the choice of 3 or so colors in hard anodized.

Edit: If it were up to me I'd opt for powder coating, your local powder coating shop will have contacts with professional paint stripping companies and can recommend the best process for the best results (I'm guessing vat dip).

Yeah, I'm reading that anodizing must be done correctly or it can easily yellow or gray.
I have also read that it must be thick enough to matter or it is wasted energy.

Powder coating appears to be cheaper as well.

I may go back to the powder coating shop that did my headers and see what they can offer.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Been a long time, but I believe this one was media blasted and cleared

Aluminum Core Support - MalibuRacing.com

by Josh Henline

maliburacing.com

 

[liquidh8]

Cool
Got any pics?

Let me dig into my build thread and see if I can find some.

 

[liquidh8]

Here are some links to my pics in my build thread.

BUILD THREAD - 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon update 08/16/23, ROLLER CAM!!

Like Scott, I got the radiator support powder coated in an aluminum color. Since it is aluminum, I thought it would be cool. We'll see when the car is done.

gbodyforum.com

BUILD THREAD - 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon update 08/16/23, ROLLER CAM!!

Jim, It will be nice to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think as much work as we all put into our rides, we're never really finished. There's always upgrades we want to perform.

gbodyforum.com

 

[CDUNIGAN1981]

Here are some links to my pics in my build thread.

BUILD THREAD - 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon update 08/16/23, ROLLER CAM!!

Like Scott, I got the radiator support powder coated in an aluminum color. Since it is aluminum, I thought it would be cool. We'll see when the car is done.

gbodyforum.com

BUILD THREAD - 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon update 08/16/23, ROLLER CAM!!

Jim, It will be nice to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think as much work as we all put into our rides, we're never really finished. There's always upgrades we want to perform.

gbodyforum.com

Thanks for the response.
What a car you made!
Love it. All of it. Tremendous

 

[liquidh8]

Thanks for the response.
What a car you made!
Love it. All of it. Tremendous

Thank you, its almost done.

 

[CDUNIGAN1981]

Thank you, its almost done.

I've finally come to the realization you just have to find the time to read some of these build threads.

Searching for answers and asking questions is 1 thing but reading some of these threads really opens things up.

Makes me happy to see the cars I grew up with being rebuilt, many to full on show quality. Its good for our kids to see more than Chevelles, Vets and 5.0's as cool as they are in their own rights

 

[Fred Pitz]

The only thing about "clear" anodized is that even if you polish it before it's anodized it still comes out looking grey. Also if it were me and I were to have a part that is going to see weather and abuse from chemicals and rocks, I'd opt for hard anodized but you only have the choice of 3 or so colors in hard anodized.

Edit: If it were up to me I'd opt for powder coating, your local powder coating shop will have contacts with professional paint stripping companies and can recommend the best process for the best results (I'm guessing vat dip).

Just a suggestion for polished aluminum.

I refinished the aluminum trim in my 1980 M 80. Did not like the idea of polishing the trim regularly. I had it coated with Cerakote clear ceramic coating two years ago and it hasn't aged at all. I had my powder coat guy do it, but after seeing the process I think you can do it yourself if careful. It goes on with a detail gun and air dries. It seems to be very tough and is good to 400 degrees.

By the way, the M 80 was a two owner VERY clean car. I stripped it to bare metal (no rust ever and only two minor bodywork places perfect floors and frame) and painted it single stage white. I also added a 6000 mile 2006 GTO LS2 and transmission, ECU and etc.

 

[CDUNIGAN1981]

Just a suggestion for polished aluminum.

I refinished the aluminum trim in my 1980 M 80. Did not like the idea of polishing the trim regularly. I had it coated with Cerakote clear ceramic coating two years ago and it hasn't aged at all. I had my powder coat guy do it, but after seeing the process I think you can do it yourself if careful. It goes on with a detail gun and air dries. It seems to be very tough and is good to 400 degrees.

By the way, the M 80 was a two owner VERY clean car. I stripped it to bare metal (no rust ever and only two minor bodywork places perfect floors and frame) and painted it single stage white. I also added a 6000 mile 2006 GTO LS2 and transmission, ECU and etc. View attachment 141084

Interesting. Thanks

How do you cure the stuff?

 

[Fred Pitz]

Just a suggestion for polished aluminum.

I refinished the aluminum trim in my 1980 M 80. Did not like the idea of polishing the trim regularly. I had it coated with Cerakote clear ceramic coating two years ago and it hasn't aged at all. I had my powder coat guy do it, but after seeing the process I think you can do it yourself if careful. It goes on with a detail gun and air dries. It seems to be very tough and is good to 400 degrees.

By the way, the M 80 was a two owner VERY clean car. I stripped it to bare metal (no rust ever and only two minor bodywork places perfect floors and frame) and painted it single stage white. I also added a 6000 mile 2006 GTO LS2 and transmission, ECU and etc. View attachment 141084

That's the best part - IT AIR DRIES