Anodized vs Power Coat Black Tower

[mcbridek]

Any views on Anodized vs Black Power Coat on the tower ? I have heard the painted does not hold up as well. After reading the write-up on the wind shield paint (mine is also worn-off in a few places). Going to order from New Dimension in the next few days. Here is the boat - 99 Sport

[surroundsound64]

I'm ordering from them on Wednesday. I'm going anodized.

[Grant_West]

I guess I missed the Anodize Vs Powedcoated thread. This is what I know about both finishes.

Anodize. With the color black it never stay's real black. When you first get it it will be as black as it will ever be. Unless they have come up with some sort of UV protection for anodized finishes every anodized peice i have ever gotten has faded in the sun. Yes paint fade's but it seems like the anozide fades much quicker. IM the anodize finishes scratch easyer If the part your doing needs to be exact Example power coating adds thickness and for some parts this is not a option. This IMO is a great use for Anodizeing.

If I had a choice between Anodized or Powercoated I would go with Powdercoat. IMO much stronger for what your going to be using it for a windshield frame

[Mikeski]

Do you mean silver anodize vs. black powder? Or black anodize vs. black powder. My old tower was black powder (monster) my current is silver anodize. The silver (clear) anodize is the most durable finish but I would go with black powder over black anodize and match the rest of the trim in the boat.

[mcbridek]

Yes, Sorry as I understand it there are two options whether from CC or New Dimension. Polish/anodize (silver) and black power coat. I was set on the black given the boat trim and windshield being black. Spoke with a few people, including Wayne at New Dim. and it has me re-thinking. Also in looking through the new Waterski buyer guide, it looks like most manufacturers (except malibu) have moved to the silver.

[joelhern2]

I had Wayne at New Dimension make a tower for my boat and it was a tough call. I went with the black powder coat because of the looks and how it matched up to the rest of the boat better than the silver. The powder coat requires more maintenance and care (Wax and protectant), but I thought it looked so much nicer.

[Rhode]

Sorry for asking what will strike most of you as a really dumb question, but are the "aluminum" towers that CC has been rolling off the assembly line for a number of years polished and "anondized." Also, I know I could look up this question on-line, but would someone please give me a dummy explanation of the "anondization" process (Is it using electricity to make non-aluminum alloy to somehow attach to aluminum? If so, does the anondization process work on other metals?).

Rhode

[Hollywood]

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that puts a coating on aluminum to improve wear and corrosion resistance while also adding that "decorative" effect.

[Rhode]

Bump. Can anyone answer my questions?

Are the "aluminum" towers that CC has been rolling off the assembly line in recent years polished and "anondized" silver-looking aluminum, or just aluminum and non-anondized?

Does the anondization process work on other non-aluminum metals?

Rhode

[Mikeski]

Rhode,

My 2005 tower is called "polished". I would more accurately refer to it as brushed aluminum anodized clear to harden the surface. It's quite durable but definately not shiny like polished aluminum. Aluminum is really the only tower material that you would anodize. Most others would be plated or painted.

[TRBenj]

The anodizing process only works on aluminum.

[Grant_West]

TRBenj: Is correct In fact if your aluminum parts to be anodized have and other metal attached to them they most likely will be destroyed in the process The acid cleaning solution attacks pretty much anything thats not aluminum. I had some parts done that had steel heli-coils in them (threads) the acid bath melted them along with some bronze fittings in the part. Anodize from what I know of it is a process that Die's The aluminum. After the part comes out of the cleaning soulition it is very pourous. They dip the part in a colord anodize tank. Te part take on the the color of the die. Depending on how long they leave it in the die determens how translutant that color is. Some parts that are flash or quick diped the color is very see threw. I use to have a buddy that worked at a Anodize plant and I would watch him do my part's. I hope I explaned the process correct.

Yes the Anodized towers people keep taking about Its not what you think.
The un coated Aluminum will quickly start to oxidize in the air. The Anodize finish people are talking about is a Clear Coat anodize. To protect the finish

And Yes Mike Ski is correct The towers are a brushed finish NOT a polished finish, In the industry Brushed finish is refferd to as a #4 finish and Polished is reffered to a #8 finish They are deffinatley a #4

[Rhode]

Sound_Illusions,

Thanks, I think I get it now. Clear coat anodize, as you describe, that is what was confusing me. With regard to the non-powder coat FCTs, does the anodization process happen when the tubing is in just straight, aluminum, stock form, and then it is bent up and the welds are painted? Or, is the FCT constructed and then anodized?

Rhode

[Grant_West]

the FCT towers are constructed and then anodized
I sure the welding would strip the anodize and discolor that joint's

[EarlyRiser]

FWIW I would go with "Brushed Alum" & either leave it as is OR paint it; NO annodizing NO pwdrcoat. The brushed does not show scratches & if painted it is easier to match. Trying to match pwdrcoat is supposed to be "easy" but, in my experience, it is a poor match. FWIW. ER