I had mine powder coated - no regrets. Will repeat 2nd time.
No paint. Raw aluminum. Looks great. No weight. No care.
I'm going to Alodine mine. I will use the Bonderite M-CR 1001 Aero. Thats the clear version. Corrosion protection and I like the smooth clear finish it leaves.
These wheel pant brackets have been clear Alodined. These have been handled and are a bit smudged but they wipe clean easily.
Didn't consided that one. There are a lot of parts.
Did you assemble everything then powdercoat?
I don't disagree with your minimalist approach. But weight? Bare aluminum baffles end up oxidizing after the clad wears off (if they were even clad to start with). If someone pulls cowl and you sew painted baffles that matches the engine, it would look more finished, impressive. Is it worth the time? Well not practically but if it makes you happy go for it.No paint. Raw aluminum. Looks great. No weight. No care.
I don't disagree with your minimalist approach. But weight? Bare aluminum baffles end up oxidizing after the clad wears off (if they were even clad to start with). If someone pulls cowl and you sew painted baffles that matches the engine, it would look more finished, impressive. Is it worth the time? Well not practically but if it makes you happy go for it.
If you go for an upper plenum over the engine, I have seen builders use this as a canvas, for fancy art work. You only see it with cowl off but it is cool. Even just painting the baffles or plenum (typically composite) makes it look better.
DanH photo...snip...
Dan
How do you connect between the plenum and the cowl inlets?
(Normally as you know flexible tubes often made from neoprene, ie wetsuit material. Not 100% sure how Dan did it, but he is very active on the forum and likely posted it or be glad to answer. I know of another builder who made the whole diffuser (black part in Dan's picture) out of thick rubber (in a mold process) vs. ridged diffuser and flexible tube between diffuser and cowl. The rubber diffuser "boot" was flexible yet ridged enough to attach to the baffling/plenum. It was a lot of work to fab.)
What are the rings at the openings of the plenum?
(Those fit into the cowl which has a groove, NOT permanently bonded just are seated, and held by top/bottom cowl.)
I was planning to fabricate neoprene (wet suit) socks.
(That is what I did, I called a wetsuit repair shop and they made them from scrap wetsuit leg/arm.)
Love the idea of airbrushing the plenum. That would look really cool. Also a good project for cold weather down time someday. If I ever get this lady finished!
(Wish I could've found plane I saw on Web years ago and photo of the plenum. The plenum "dog house roof" was truly a work of art. The guy is a professional painter/airbrush artiest, New Zealand or Australia I recall, who built an RV.)