Clear Over Bare Aluminum?

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UAmember

Promoted Users
Forgive my ignorance. I searched old threads and came up empty handed. I spent a considerable amount of time cleaning up a 4L60E that has been in my barn the last 14 years. The years haven't been kind. Took a lot to clean up all the corrosion.
My question is can I use clear over bare aluminum/steel? Might be a silly question but I have zero experience with 2 stage and clears. I have intentionally steered away, but I would like some protection while keeping the look of clean bare metal.
 
UAmember said:
My question is can I use clear over bare aluminum/steel?
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Yes. Use activated SPI adhesion promoter first then apply clear. Use SPI 6501 to activate at a ratio of 5 (ad-pro) to 1 (6501). Apply the clear within an hour of applying the ad-pro.

Jim C turned me on to this and it works well. I've done several things with it and it does hold up fairly well.
 
What do manufactures use on brushed and polished aluminum wheels and such? Just a clear coat correct? It generally lasts well if taken care of. What do they do differently that we don’t do?
 
Whitesnake said:
What do manufactures use on brushed and polished aluminum wheels and such? Just a clear coat correct? It generally lasts well if taken care of. What do they do differently that we don’t do?
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I could be wrong, but I think the "clear coat" on wheels is more of a thermoplastic. I would like to know for sure.
 
Whitesnake said:
What do manufactures use on brushed and polished aluminum wheels and such? Just a clear coat correct? It generally lasts well if taken care of. What do they do differently that we don’t do?
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There are clearcoats made for aluminum boats that are brushed on.
I don't know how good they are since they are a 1K paint.
 
Long ago i spoke with a "high end" body shop estimator about wheel refurbishing... He said those companies use products(clears), that we dont have access to...Not so sure exactly what that means
 
I always assumed the OEMs used some kind of clear powder coat. The aftermarket wheels I have bought don't hold up like the OE stuff.
 
not sure about oem but i just bought a set of hre wheels for my car which are quite expensive and those are powdercoated. its thick but i do notice the powdercoat on them isnt rock hard. its quite soft compared to typical powdercoat. its transparent just over brushed forged aluminum.
 
Jim C said:
not sure about oem but i just bought a set of hre wheels for my car which are quite expensive and those are powdercoated. its thick but i do notice the powdercoat on them isnt rock hard. its quite soft compared to typical powdercoat. its transparent just over brushed forged aluminum.
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Do you think anything will happen to the clear/powdercoat from the tire changer "person"?
 
Absolutely if they screw it up. With a 15k set of wheels you need to find a tire shop that do higher end stuff. They will have a touchless tire machine. The tool will make no contact with the rim
 
UAmember said:
Forgive my ignorance. I searched old threads and came up empty handed. I spent a considerable amount of time cleaning up a 4L60E that has been in my barn the last 14 years. The years haven't been kind. Took a lot to clean up all the corrosion.
My question is can I use clear over bare aluminum/steel? Might be a silly question but I have zero experience with 2 stage and clears. I have intentionally steered away, but I would like some protection while keeping the look of clean bare metal.
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Grey epoxy makes transmission look like new...
 
Jim C said:
Absolutely if they screw it up. With a 15k set of wheels you need to find a tire shop that do higher end stuff. They will have a touchless tire machine. The tool will make no contact with the rim
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Are the Porsche fitment wheels?...15k not too bad)
 
Yes centerocks. Any performance car its a must that the wheels be forged and not just regular cast wheels. You need the strength. If you actually decided to do 180mph you dont want the wheels blowing apart. Unfortunately all forged cnc wheels are super pricy. I bought a set of cast wheels for my truck so when i was looking for the porsche i got a bit if a sticker shock lol
 
Jim C said:
Yes centerocks. Any performance car its a must that the wheels be forged and not just regular cast wheels. You need the strength. If you actually decided to do 180mph you dont want the wheels blowing apart. Unfortunately all forged cnc wheels are super pricy. I bought a set of cast wheels for my truck so when i was looking for the porsche i got a bit if a sticker shock lol
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All fully understood...How do you feel about cast wheels? Junk? Bend easily?.. Considering something aftermarket for my 5 series
 
as chris mentioned i have used activated spi adpro in the past with great success on chrome and polished aluminum. I believe the spi adpro now is a different formula than the stuff i used a few years back. I would assume it works just as well.
 
For regular use on cars and trucks i see no problem with cast wheels. Almost all cars with wheels either oem or aftermarket are cast
 
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