Dirty aluminum look
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breasts
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Dirty aluminum look
I stripped an aluminum frame, built up this bike and since everything seems great, and light, I'm ready to put it back up and protect the frame.
Originally I was going to spray a light clear coat--I was about to clean it up but I like how the dust oxidizes(?) into a sooty, ridden look.
So I gave it a light rub with a tack cloth and the look stays. Will the oxidation spread under whatever clear I apply? What about the integrity of the coat afterward? Will it stay?
Originally I was going to spray a light clear coat--I was about to clean it up but I like how the dust oxidizes(?) into a sooty, ridden look.
So I gave it a light rub with a tack cloth and the look stays. Will the oxidation spread under whatever clear I apply? What about the integrity of the coat afterward? Will it stay?
Last edited by Samwiches; 05-14-09 at 10:31 AM.
#2
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I would polish the aluminum, and use a sealant (sometimes comes with the aluminum polish). I'm not aware of anyway to paint a clear coat on - you could, but it would be brittle. Most people apply a sealant (such as Zoop: https://www.zoops.com/zoopseal.asp ) to protect the finish. But you need to reapply it every year or so.
I polished an old campy headset once... With no protection, it still looks okay a year later.
I polished an old campy headset once... With no protection, it still looks okay a year later.
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If you like the raw aluminum look don't clear coat it. It will only get so funky before the oxidation gets to a point where that funky gray patina (rap it to the tune of "funky cold medina) sort of puts a stop to itself and in the absence of weird chemistry it won't get any nastier. I've got a mountain bike frame I stripped three years ago it still looks pretty much like yours does in that photo.
It's oxidized, what is there to "protect?"
It's oxidized, what is there to "protect?"
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Still stupid and seriously neglected..
Still stupid and seriously neglected..
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OT: Do Campy headsets generally have that sprocket shape, as posted above by 888? I`ve never seen any like that before, but then again- I`ve never had the pleasure to hang out with a lot of Campy stuff.