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Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive by Ron Joseph April, 2005 Clear Coating on Aluminum Q. I am an artist. I have always worked in steel. I have a request to create a sculpture in aluminum. They are going to put it outside and want it to retain it's natural, shiny, silvery look. I know aluminum will oxidize and dull over time. My questions are: How much time will it last before this occurs (ball park, we live in Colorado)
and Thank you! A. In my opinion clear anodizing will be much longer lasting than a clear powder coating on aluminum. I can't give you an approximate longevity as I don't have any information on this, and my is guess is that it will also depend on the aluminum alloy. On the other hand I would expect that the Aluminum Association might be able to assist you. Try http://www.aluminum.org/source/Orders/index.php?section=BookStore. If you were to use a clear powder coating I would suggest that you consider a clear polyurethane, because this type of resin is known to have excellent performance under exterior exposure. If you are willing to apply a liquid coating then consider a PVDF coating such as is described at http://www.vistawall.com/Skywall/press/finishes_for_arch_aluminum.htm. I hope this gets you on the right track. Best wishes, Ron Joseph |