An easy, DIY alternative to anodizing

[blizpaintball42]

If you're going to rattle can it though, why bother going through all of that just to do the outside? A quick buzz with some 400 grit, then some 600 grit wet paper, a little spray on primer, then paint it. Just seems like a whole lot of work to shoot a 4 dollar can of spraypaint on something.

[wjr]

If you're going to rattle can it though, why bother going through all of that just to do the outside? A quick buzz with some 400 grit, then some 600 grit wet paper, a little spray on primer, then paint it. Just seems like a whole lot of work to shoot a 4 dollar can of spraypaint on something.

Ever painted raw aluminum before? It doesn't work at all. It'll scratch right off. This way it actually sticks.


Here are some pics of it:

[ShotOnSight]

It looks like it turned out good. I wonder how it will hold up though. Seems like it might flake or chip after prolonged or rough use, or even just rubbing against other gear in your bag or trunk.

Of course im not the one that did this so only you really know, hows it holding up so far ?

[blizpaintball42]

Ever painted raw aluminum before? It doesn't work at all. It'll scratch right off. This way it actually sticks.

If you sand it, and use an adhesion promoting primer, it will stick...

[wjr]

It looks like it turned out good. I wonder how it will hold up though. Seems like it might flake or chip after prolonged or rough use, or even just rubbing against other gear in your bag or trunk.

Of course im not the one that did this so only you really know, hows it holding up so far ?

It's holding up well I'd say. Like ano, if you take something sharp to it then it will scratch a bit.

If you sand it, and use an adhesion promoting primer, it will stick...

Why would "adhesion promoting primer" take any less time to coat the part with then this stuff? It takes like, a minute to put this stuff on.

[thefool]

Looks great.

hardcoat is 2-4 thou
regular is .5-1 thou

very little impact resistance, its great for corrosion though, and it lets you do much more interesting dying effects than painting.

[blizpaintball42]

Just seems like going through the process of stripping the old ano would take a little more effort than I personally would like to go through just to spray paint something.

I'm not trying to argue or be a jerk... just offering an alternative.

[mr doo doo]

haha, you actually did it!! looks good from here. update us when you use it or something to see if it will last or not. good job!

[ProblemKinder]

i really like the way that looks. the metal brackets look like plastic. yes keep us updated on the condition of that marker.

[Lenny]

Then use steel wool.

I was told never to take steel wool to a non steel paintball gun due to corrosion (dissimilar metals). Would this in anyway corrode the alluminum?

[Lucifer Bob]

It looks great! It's a cheaper alternative than anodizing when you buy parts that are raw Hope to hear how it holds up to abuse

[chairman_mao]

I always thought the front bracket on RT's was SS not aluminium. Hmmm, I guess you learn something new every day.

The blue looks good keep us up on how it takes some hard days of play.

[wjr]

I was told never to take steel wool to a non steel paintball gun due to corrosion (dissimilar metals). Would this in anyway corrode the alluminum?

I don't know... Not in my experience. But you could be right. Once you sand it after 800 it looks shiny enough anyways, so I guess I'll stop using it. Thanks for the heads up.

[Jaan]

I was told never to take steel wool to a non steel paintball gun due to corrosion (dissimilar metals). Would this in anyway corrode the alluminum?

That's right. Very small bits of the steel can end up in the aluminum.

[JoshK]

I wonder...how would this coating alone look? You said after it is applied it appears goldish? Do you have any pictures with just the coating, no spray paint?