Sandblasting an Aluminium Frame?

[Cruz Addict]

Your biggest problem with sandblasting is not the rough surface problem as mentioned. Modern aluminium frames, especially super lightweight frames like basically all of them above R10k, are shot peened or laser peened. This is like sand blasting but with special beads, probably glass, that finely peens the metal giving it some surface tension and thus crack resistance. Peening is done in addition to heat treatment because the metal is drawn so thin that it needs every bit of help it can get. The beads they use are small, 0.3mm in dia or so. Peening would leave the surface looking like some of that fake antique silver or pewter ware, if you were to look at it under a low power microscope. By sandblasting the aluminium, you remove the peening and weaken the frame. Peening is one of the reasons frame manufacturers will void the guarantee if you were to repaint it. It isn't the paint job that does the damage by the surface preparation over which they have no control. I suggest you use pain remover and very little sanding. That said, if it is an el-cheapo frame with welds that look like chicken poop and toothpaste, blast away.

Sheesh, once again johan a very educated answer. I didnt know any of that. Bit nervouse of my ss build after reading that. Guess ill have to ride the hell out of it and see if it breaks

[Mountain Bru]

i have a guy that i use if you want contact details let me know ill send on to you. they can also powder coat etc so a nice one stop shop for what i was trying to achieve.

 

Can you maybe PM me the details of your guy?

 

How much would powder coating a frame generally cost?