Paint that looks like polished alloy?

[Mr2Mike]

I'm restoring an old Suzuki B120, and the generator/sprocket cover was heavily corroded. After cleaning it up the surface is deeply pitted in several places, too much to remove by sanding down the surface (it would end up paper thin). I've tried, unsuccessfully, to source a new/better one, but they appear to be very rare.

The other side of the engine is in good shape and will polish up nicely, but not sure what to do about this cover. I could fill the pitting and spray it, but is there any paint that is a reasonable match for polished aluminium?

[bimsb6]

The powder coating companies could probably help , i've seen a wheel done with an alloy like finish .

[rumpelstiltskin]

I remember a powdercoaters i used to go to had a new product that looked like chrome,it was quite impressive.I think i also had a discussion with the guy that i think they can fill/flatten the surface then powdercoat it?It might just be good enough for you?
Have a look at this m.youtube.com/watch?v=J9XW8zokU8w
Or if link doesnt work just type in chrome powder coat in youtube.

Edited by rumpelstiltskin on Sunday 29th March 21:45

Edited by rumpelstiltskin on Sunday 29th March 21:51

[Mr2Mike]

That powder coating looks very good, thanks for that. I actually have a powdercoating gun, but I don't have an oven to bake it, and using a hot air gun has never worked for me, so would need to find somewhere local that could do this.

[podman]

Many people use alloy wheel paint, it comes out surprisingly close to lots of OE finishes.

Simonz comes out very well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Simoniz-5-Wheel-Silver-5...

RS Bike paints will be able to help as well.

http://www.rsbikepaint.com/en-gb/products.php

Modern aerosol paints are not very resistant to petrol, so do all the dirty work first before fitting it, a leaky float bowl has ruined many a good job.

..and as said, powdercoat has got better at replicating alloy (and even chrome) in recent years, id tend to steer towards one advertised in the likes of one of the classic bike mags who will know what there dealing with and wont stick it in with a batch of Tesco trolleys.

Triple S and Banbury Powder coating are 2 companies ive used and trust.

[jackthelad1984]

I notice your from devon, there's a very good paint shop in plymouth, art attack designs, they might be worth a call, I'm sure iv seen them paint something similar before. There work is top notch.

[mickrick]

You can get paint that looks like alloy. A friend of mine had his Porshe 911 wheel rims done in it.
You can also get powder coating done too. I've just had my bike wheels done with a clear orange over chrome base.

[Discopotatoes]

I powder coated a belhousing cover using chrome powder which looks more like polished alloy than chrome IMO.

I just stuck it in the oven on 180 for 15 minutes when the wife was out

[Mr2Mike]

That looks pretty damn good, something like that would be fine. My life wouldn't be worth living if I used the kitchen oven to cure powder coating however, and the instructions in my powder coating kit says the fumes can be toxic.

[Discopotatoes]

I'm still here, and to be onest it didn't smell too bad

[wc98]

Mr2Mike said:

That looks pretty damn good, something like that would be fine. My life wouldn't be worth living if I used the kitchen oven to cure powder coating however, and the instructions in my powder coating kit says the fumes can be toxic.

if you want it done phone these lads (my younger brothers company) http://fifepowdercoating.com/ they do stuff for people all over the uk and can supply the finish you are looking for.