raw aluminium

[Palaeodom]

Are there any issues with just keeping a frame uncoated? have just stripped an old hardtail down to metal and like the look, I realise it will oxidise and go a bit dull but are there any structural issues if I don't clear coat or paint the frame?

[Brian Fantana]

I have an Intense 5.5 in raw aluminium. The frame is five years old and the finish still looks the same. It does not have clear coat, and I don't polish it. I wash it regularly.

[Palaeodom]

Nice, thanks. Do you think there any disadvantages to having it uncoated?

[Glencoco]

Nice, thanks. Do you think there any disadvantages to having it uncoated?

 

Well, the person behind you will be blinded and need to ride with sunglasses on!

[javadude]

Raw aluminium will fade over time, so if you want to keep it shined up then you will need to polish it every now and then. If a "raw" Aluminium frame doesn't lose its shine after 5 years then its most likely silver anodized.

[Brian Fantana]

Raw aluminium will fade over time, so if you want to keep it shined up then you will need to polish it every now and then. If a "raw" Aluminium frame doesn't lose its shine after 5 years then its most likely silver anodized.

 

Read my post again, I did not once say that it was or is shiny, it had a raw, unfinished, and dull look to it since the day I bought it.

 

I know what anodising looks like and my frame is not anodised, it is natural raw aluminium with no shine.

[kosmonooit]

It wont hold its nice finish unless you clear coat it, which is easy enough to do.

[divernick]

How did you strip down the frame?

I am seriously considering doing that to mine sometime soon.

 

Here's a pretty nice thread on MTBR forums about a raw mtb frame: My link

[LazyTrailRider]

Raw aluminium (like my Stephan and my brother's bikes) looks like below and requires no attention:

 

 

Ball burnished frames (like mine) do need some Silvo from time to time to keep them shiny.

 

Edited December 3, 2011 by Martin Hattingh

[kosmonooit]

My 'dale Prophet has the 'raw' Al + welds finished with a fine belt sander, and sealed with a clear coat

 

http://www.entopia.org.za/Gallery/cycling/Prophet/Prophet_Tree_s.jpg

[tommy two shoes]

How did you strip down the frame?

I am seriously considering doing that to mine sometime soon.

 

Here's a pretty nice thread on MTBR forums about a raw mtb frame: My link

 

That GT Aggressor looks amazing with raw alu & polished up like that. I am def gonna go the same route on my '08 GT frame, looking very tired at the moment from years of abuse!

[Johan Bornman]

Nice, thanks. Do you think there any disadvantages to having it uncoated?

 

Yes

 

Uncoated aluminium oxidises very quickly. Within minutes it already has a layer of aluminium oxide on which ironically, protects it from futher oxidising by slowing further oxidising down.

 

However, it turns a dull grey and wherever it touches your skin or white shorts (you do wear a white pant, don't you?) it leaves black marks. Not nice.

 

Further, sweat and salt will almost certainly speed up the oxidising (even with its protective oxide layer) and leave large ugly white crystals.

 

Just coat it. Even a spraycan of clear lacquer will do the trick.

[Johan Bornman]

Ball burnished frames (like mine) do need some Silvo from time to time to keep them shiny.

 

Martin, I'm willing to bet that the frame in this picture is coated with something. It looks just too shiny for raw alu that's not fresh from the polisher.

[Palaeodom]

Yes

 

Uncoated aluminium oxidises very quickly. Within minutes it already has a layer of aluminium oxide on which ironically, protects it from futher oxidising by slowing further oxidising down.

 

However, it turns a dull grey and wherever it touches your skin or white shorts (you do wear a white pant, don't you?) it leaves black marks. Not nice.

 

Further, sweat and salt will almost certainly speed up the oxidising (even with its protective oxide layer) and leave large ugly white crystals.

 

Just coat it. Even a spraycan of clear lacquer will do the trick.

 

 

 

If I'm going to do it myself do you know what I should try and find and the best way of going about it?

 

Otherwise do you know of someone who may be able to do a quick clear coat for me before we all decend into christmas madness?

 

Thanks