Engine Paint

Aluminum just doesn't take paint well. This is why anodizing is far superior. It actually grows out of the metal typically providing a harder surface than the metal itself. Powder coating would be superior to any paint on aluminum. The main problem with aluminum is the rate that it oxidizes. This is even problematic when trying to epoxy to it. Oxidation forms between the two layers which separates the bond between the two. Bead blasting with fine media would certainly enhance the adhesion of paint to the aluminum as it provides a sound area for the paint to bond onto. The next problem with paint would be it's fuel proofing qualities. High nitro fuels like the Pee Wee demands, is like paint thinner to most paints. If you do have a friend in the auto body business, coating with 2 part auto clear generally takes care of fuel degradation problems due to the alcohol and nitro. Many times auto clears however cross link to their base color coats. In other words, once the final color is placed on the product, you have a limited window of opportunity to spray the final clear usually within 24 hrs or the surface must be redone and scarified.

This is another reason that powdercoating is far superior to paints as the material is attached through electrolysis. It is also a very hard finish much harder than paint. The problem with powdercoating is trying to keep the areas you don't want coated uncoated. As seen on Bernie's site, the die cast cases are powdercoated as anodizing requires a mill finish with no imperfections to work correctly or it looks like hell. Die cast metal has poor characteristics and would require far too much work to clean up for the process and the base metal colors aren't always consistent. Ken