Over the past couple of years I've tried to have some of my intercoolers anodized black (to get that "incognito" look) with limited success finding a reliable shop to do it. Recently I've started seriously considering putting together my own anodizing line. I've done quite a bit of research on it and have a pretty nice setup figured out. Once it's all set up I'll be able to anodize any aluminum part as well as dye it any color: intercoolers, intercooler piping, valve covers, etc. If you don't already know, anodizing aluminum basically coats it with a very hard coating of aluminum oxide, that increases the durability of the part. During the process you also have the opportunity to dye the aluminum any color. The metal itself is colored, contrary to painting or powder coating a surface, so the finish is extremely durable.

The reason for this thread is I'm basically gauging interest in an aluminum anodizing service to see if it's worth me doing the whole setup or not. If it's something you guys might be interested in please post up.

Along a similar line of thought, powder coating is another thing that I'm interested in getting into and offering as a service. Of course powder coating can be done to any metal surface, not just aluminum, and is also a very durable finish (supposed to be 10 time stronger than paint). Again, any interest in a power coating service?

I would probably work it similar to my wiring service where you ship us the part, we'll anodize or powder coat it, and then ship it back.

-Doc

how much lets say to powder coat 4 wheels.

Doesn't sound like a bad idea. There was actually talk going about powdercoating headers before heat wrapping them to eliminate or atleast minimize rusting and rotting. Will powdercoating actually help? ...although it was mentioned to be high temperature powdercoat...

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no, that is ceramic coating. somthing totally diffrent than powdercoat.

i'd think about having some anodizing done, tweak.

what would be sick is color matched intercoolers.

this is not very well painted. but get the idea.

imagine both of these in red..

Not sure on the pricing, it should be labor only since the actual cost of the setup will be a long-term expense.

I do not think that powder coat will hold up to temps like that. Considering that the metal itself breaks down I'm not a big fan of using heat wrap for that reason.

-Doc

I think you will find EPA restrictions to be a problem. The etching process is kind of a pain as well.
If you etch to long or at the wrong temp it can remove to much or add to much making close tolorence
parts not fit. It is very hard to find a really good and consistant anodizer. If you get good enough, buisness
will come looking for you.

In most large metro areas, including mine, there are at least several shops that do anodizing well and many, many who do powder coating.

So no, I would not ship parts to have them anodized or powder coated.

^^ X2 ^^

If you decide to invest the capital to do all of that it should probablly be only to improve you current products, I just dont see enought people willing to ship everything to you to get it done when they can usually get it done locally.

Just my .02 since i have a powder coating place less than half a mile from my place

incognito ftw!

I did powder coating for a while and got customers all over the US. I posted up pictures on national motorcycle forums saying hey check out my work and instantly people wanted their stuff powder coated. I don't know of any anodizers around here so I think as long as you did some advertising and had good word of mouth you'd be ok. Also having a nice website with options, color swatches, etc really helps as well.

I would LOVE to have a black anondized intercooler.