GunKote 2400 on Aluminum

K

Krash37

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I've been experimenting with GunKote on 6061 Aluminum and it is not turning out really durable. The parts look great but scratch very easily. I also had some parts sent out to 3 different companies for anodizing, and they look pretty good. But for one and two off parts I don't want to wait until I have an entire batch; most companies have a $100 minimum.

I cleaned the parts, preheated about 110f for an hour before spraying, let dry 20 - 60 minutes (sometimes not at all), and then baked in a convection oven @ 275 for 2 hours and also @ 325 for 90 minutes; and variables of those times/temps.

I'm not sure how hard this coating is supposed to get, so maybe it is working properly. How does it compare to anodizing, or hard anodizing?

I don't have any way of testing hardness. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Krash37 said:
I've been experimenting with GunKote on 6061 Aluminum and it is not turning out really durable. The parts look great but scratch very easily. I also had some parts sent out to 3 different companies for anodizing, and they look pretty good. But for one and two off parts I don't want to wait until I have an entire batch; most companies have a $100 minimum.

I cleaned the parts, preheated about 110f for an hour before spraying, let dry 20 - 60 minutes (sometimes not at all), and then baked in a convection oven @ 275 for 2 hours and also @ 325 for 90 minutes; and variables of those times/temps.

I'm not sure how hard this coating is supposed to get, so maybe it is working properly. How does it compare to anodizing, or hard anodizing?

I don't have any way of testing hardness. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have nothing but great experience. KG Guncote instruction says that for proper coating adherence sandblasting is critical for best results. Couple of light coats are better than one heavy one. Use proper airbrush. 325degF for 60min works for me.
 
I am a factory trained KG Applicator and as others have said media blasting with 120 Grit Aluminum Oxide is a crucial part of the preparation process, the cut it leaves is required for proper adhesion.

Baking at 165c/235f for one hour is all that is required.
 
i use the 80 grit because it was easy to find. i use 75 to 80lb pressure and stay back a few extra inches. works fine. glass beading peens the metak and doesn't have enough teeth.
 
Krash37 said:
I also read that it should be blasted @ 20 - 30 PSI; the lowest I could get my glassbeader to work was @ ~45. Anything lower than that it did not have enough pressure to pull up the glass.

And I am using glass; not AL/OX. I will get some of that and try it.

I did find this:

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/...lb-Aluminum-Oxide-Blasting-Abrasive/8200578.p

but it says it is 80 Grit.
Click to expand...

Glass beads won't provide the correct surface for proper adhesion, 80 grit will work but 120 grit is best, just hard to get in Canada in small quantities.

I blast at 60-80psi depending on what I am blasting.
 
I finally found some 120 in Alberta for about a buck a pound. It is easier to find Silica sand; the autobody shop here uses #4; he figures its around 100 grit. Has any one tried that?

I can get 80 grit Al/Ox @ princess auto. Any recommendations?
 
Finally got my 120 Al/Ox. $50 for the bag; $12 for the pail so Greyhound didn't trash it. $50 shipping and $5 COD shipping charge. It sure looks different than the glass bead finish I was getting. Just hope this is the difference we need for this to work properly!
 
Check out Tenaquip, they got 120 AO for me in a couple of days with free shipping over $50 for anything they sell. Free shipping is a very valuable item. I do Ceracote and they want you to use 120AO and nothing else and they do not want you to use glass beads because it peans the surface and does not give it any tooth to hang on to.
 
How did it end up turning out?
I'd debating trying gun kote on AL instead of setting up for anodizing.
 
Krash37 said:
I finally found some 120 in Alberta for about a buck a pound. It is easier to find Silica sand; the autobody shop here uses #4; he figures its around 100 grit. Has any one tried that?

I can get 80 grit Al/Ox @ princess auto. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Good question. Silica IS glass however it is sharp and not "beads" I know that the quartzite we mine (quartz is silica) is used as a media blast and it is VERY hard on our equipment. The crusher liners wear our 2 to 3 times faster with quartzite silica than when crushing granite.
 
SND said:
How did it end up turning out?
I'd debating trying gun kote on AL instead of setting up for anodizing.
Click to expand...

It turned out not bad, but anodizing is cheaper and looks better. I would not look into setting up to do your own anodizing. We used to and although we saved a little money, it is very hard to get consistent results when doing small batches. There are enough companies around that can do it cheap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom