Powdercoat or Anodize?

[Wigglepuppy]

So I've decided to get the aluminum SSO/Hefty slimline bumper. My rig is white and the bumper comes powder-coated black. I see a shit-ton of black on white, so I'm thinking of having them ship it to me bare and having it either anodized or powdercoated a shade of gray . . . or maybe something else. . . but leaning toward gray.

Anyone have experience/advice regarding powdercoating vs. anodizing?

Anyone have recommendations on shops in or around San Diego?

Cheers in advance.

 

[81runner]

I know this kind of goes against the norm, but if you are looking at a durable lasting surface for a bumper, have you looked into epoxy paint?

 

[Wigglepuppy]

I know this kind of goes against the norm, but if you are looking at a durable lasting surface for a bumper, have you looked into epoxy paint?

I haven't. Add to the list of options.

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[Drunner97]

Do you actually plan on using the bumper? If so, rattle can because rocks don't give two shits what your coating is.

 

[81runner]

Do you actually plan on using the bumper? If so, rattle can because rocks don't give two shits what your coating is.

I'd almost agree, except for epoxy paint is the stuff used on industrial equipment like fork lifts for example. The paint on those thing is pretty hard to kill. I'm actually considering it for my rims instead of plastidip

 

[Drunner97]

I'd almost agree, except for epoxy paint is the stuff used on industrial equipment like fork lifts for example. The paint on those thing is pretty hard to kill. I'm actually considering it for my rims instead of plastidip

Can't be cheap either. I'll stick with spray paint. I've gotta touch up my sliders, front bumper, rear bumper, front skid, and gas skid after this last weekend and it's just easier to have them all the same color. hahah.

 

[81runner]

Can't be cheap either. I'll stick with spray paint. I've gotta touch up my sliders, front bumper, rear bumper, front skid, and gas skid after this last weekend and it's just easier to have them all the same color. hahah.

Wow, ok. So epoxy paint is NOT cheap... Look it up...cheapest form available is around 27 bucks for a rattle can. I doubt you pay more than that for duplicolor krylon or whatever it is you happen to use.

 

[Wigglepuppy]

Do you actually plan on using the bumper? If so, rattle can because rocks don't give two shits what your coating is.

I do plan to use it and agree with your point here. That's why I'm thinking both powdercoat and epoxy are out. Did a little research and epoxy paint, while strong, does not appear to be the best application for aluminum as far as bonding to it.

Unlike paint and powdercoat, it's not a coating. It actually chemically changes the outer layers of the aluminum. I'm sure its pricey tho...



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[themuffinman619]

I do plan to use it and agree with your point here. That's why I'm thinking both powdercoat and epoxy are out. Did a little research and epoxy paint, while strong, does not appear to be the best application for aluminum as far as bonding to it.

Unlike paint and powdercoat, it's not a coating. It actually chemically changes the outer layers of the aluminum. I'm sure its pricey tho...



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If you decide to powdercoat, check out anocote on Miramar rd. They did my slimline and sliders. Awesome work and good prices. I think one of their other family members does anodizing. So, they’ll send you in the right direction.

 

[headpaneer]

Anodizing is great for 6000 series machined or extruded parts that won't get dragged along rocks. A plate sheet fabricated and welded bumper will not accept the anodized finish well. It will look blotchy and almost all scratches and surface imperfections will show.

If you want a really close look of a clear anodized finish in powder coat, look at Tiger Drylac's 61/00015 Anodize Effect Silver finish. It is suitable for exterior use (not all powder coat is). I added this finish eight months ago for a complete product line of architectural light fixtures and everyone loves it.

I agree with the rest though, if you are gonna beat on your bumper, your best finish option will be spay paint.

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

I'd powdercoat it.

I've had my Shrockworks bumper on my '04 since 2005 and I do a fair amount of rock crawling. Its held up very well. Small touch ups I have done with touch up bottles. Usually it's the bottom skids which take the pounding, not the bumper.

My bumper is ready for a new powdercoating in the past two years but I cant be bothered pulling it off to get that done and shortly I'm changing bumper anyways so I'll powdercoat it then, or sell it to someone who wants to get it done themselves in their own choice of color.

 

[Drunner97]

I'd powdercoat it.

I've had my Shrockworks bumper on my '04 since 2005 and I do a fair amount of rock crawling. Its held up very well. Small touch ups I have done with touch up bottles. Usually it's the bottom skids which take the pounding, not the bumper.

My bumper is ready for a new powdercoating in the past two years but I cant be bothered pulling it off to get that done and shortly I'm changing bumper anyways so I'll powdercoat it then, or sell it to someone who wants to get it done themselves in their own choice of color.

This is what my rear bumper looked like after Holcomb and Dishpan. Powder coat is a waste of money if you're actually using it. I'll clean that up, hit it with a flap wheel, and spray over it.

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[visualfxengineer]

I use a brush now and rustoleum to help with over spray I got with the cans. Newspaper and tape prep was ridiculous just to fix trail damage. Now it’s $12 for huge paint can. And brushes are cheap. Seems to work as I don’t care if it is scraped off. Same for the bumper. I wouldn’t powdercoat as I don’t see it lasting. Good luck


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