Powder coating Aluminum?

[sgtsandman]

Powder coating is expensive, but no doubt the best way to prevent steel from rust, especially in high wear areas like the lower frame where the tires will kick up salts and stones.

Aluminum does not require that sort of protection. It doesn't rust. The coating itself is hard but may chip off anyway. Aluminum is after all, a soft metal.

I've got aluminum wheels which have an epoxy clear coat which works just fine.

From what I’ve seen with power coated stuff, regular spray paint holds up better. Plus, once the coating fails, it traps moisture like rubberized undercoat does and hides the corrosion. And it peals off in big sheets once it separates. Towing hitches are the biggest offenders for this. I end up peeling the power coat off and spray painting them to stop the damage.

 

[Ranger850]

Yes. aluminum can be, and is, powder coated all the time. Whe often had our steel and aluminum awning frames powder coated. Usaully in "mineral black", but sometimes other colors to either match the awning fabric or to blend in better than raw metal. Aluminum held the powder coat just as good as paint and seemed to be more durable ( harder to scratch ) than paint. Granted Awnings get put up and are hardly ever touched by humans again, but brids nest in them, squirrells run across them, cats climb up in them, and after 7-10 years, the fabric and/or stiching can deteriorate and the covers fall off, exposing the frame to the sun and wearther conditions.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Aluminum "rusts". Maybe corrodes is a better word. Especially in contact with dissimilar metals. The corrosion is a white powder instead of red...

 

[Lefty]

From what I’ve seen with power coated stuff, regular spray paint holds up better. Plus, once the coating fails, it traps moisture like rubberized undercoat does and hides the corrosion. And it peals off in big sheets once it separates. Towing hitches are the biggest offenders for this. I end up peeling the power coat off and spray painting them to stop the damage.

Yup

 

[pjtoledo]

Aluminum "rusts". Maybe corrodes is a better word. Especially in contact with dissimilar metals. The corrosion is a white powder instead of red...

and it literally blows away in the wind

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, the side boxes on my F-150 and dump truck are powder coated aluminum and they corroded bad under the powder coat even with a lot of care not to screw them up. I personally haven’t been impressed with powder coated anything. Once rust or corrosion gets a hold, it’s game over. At least with paint you can sand it down and touch it up. Powder coat you have to strip it off as it peels up from corrosion. Pain in the neck for sure.

 

[Ranger850]

FYI 99% of Aluminum Patio furntiure is Powdercoated. the other 1% is exposed metal.

Just to get back to the OP's original question - "Can aluminum be powder coated.

The Benefits of Powder Coating Outdoor Furniture

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Is powder coating good for outdoor furniture?

Powder coating improves metal durability by shielding it from the elements and adding more strength. This finish option prevents rust from forming on metals, allowing outdoor furniture to withstand moist climates and frequent rain.Jan 13, 2023

 

[don4331]

High school chemistry:

Fe (iron) + air (oxygen - O2) + water (H20) = Fe(OH)3 then decomposes to = Fe2O3(Rust) + (H2O)​

Al (Aluminium) + Air (oxygen -O2) = Al2O3 (Aluminium Oxide)​

Unlike Rust, Aluminium Oxide remains bolded to the substrate - i.e. it doesn't peel off It also tends to be harder than base metal​

Anodizing is process to quickly (artificially) create that Aluminium Oxide. Note: Aluminium Oxide is a porous surface which makes it easy to add dye to (colour it) and/or sealer. The sealing part of the process makes it corrosion resistant.

When I worked at Nortel Networks, all the enclosures that would be exposed to weather were powder coated aluminium.

I'm interested in the rabbit hole of why forged Aluminium would be different than cast, etc..

 

[Blmpkn]

I'm interested in the rabbit hole of why forged Aluminium would be different than cast, etc..

Some people believe/insist that getting forged aluminum that hot (400+°) can mess with the metallurgy and make them brittle. Idk.. like I said.. it's a rabbit hole as deep as any.