Hey guys I'm thinking about doin some stuff to my pro installing black decals along the tunnel and possibly painting my rails blue to hopefully match the color of the hood decals as best I can. I was wondering if anyone has painted their rails on their pros or if anyone could offer any suggestions as to a good quality paint to go with so it won't just all chip off the first time i take it back out. I'm pretty open to anything you guy think might work best. Thanks guys hope your all having a great season so far
Painting rails question?
- Thread starter sledwrecker1
- Start date
I tried some por-15 paint on my rails this year. Supposed to be awesome.
Lasted a few rides before the edges started peeling and eventually the entire rail peeled. Wouldn't recommend painting. Waste of your time. Just do powdercoat and make sure they dont get the rails excessively hot.
Lasted a few rides before the edges started peeling and eventually the entire rail peeled. Wouldn't recommend painting. Waste of your time. Just do powdercoat and make sure they dont get the rails excessively hot.
R
RockyMountainSnowmobile.com
New member
Anodize is the way to go, as long as it's done right. Downside is you don't have a ton of colors to choose from and if not done right it can fade. I have done mine the last three years and been very happy. Won't ever chip, crack, or peel which usually happens from ice scratchers throwing ice or gravel. I know a good place here in Utah if you need help. Good luck!
Ben
RockyMountainSnowmobile.com
Ben
RockyMountainSnowmobile.com
I painted mine with a primer than gloss black , sure they chip but it is rode hard and but away wet every ride . If I was in to show I would have stayed with harleys and hot rods .
We rode this weekend with a fellow who had a 12 cat all blinged out never got off the trail but he sure looked good .
Than again he is not replacing the bumper and patching holes either today .
I did get a compliment on my rails and hyfax how nice they looked and was asked if they where powder coated, Nope. I even painted both hyfax with red fusion paint .
JMO
We rode this weekend with a fellow who had a 12 cat all blinged out never got off the trail but he sure looked good .
Than again he is not replacing the bumper and patching holes either today .
I did get a compliment on my rails and hyfax how nice they looked and was asked if they where powder coated, Nope. I even painted both hyfax with red fusion paint .
JMO
What was the kind/brand of the primer and paint that you used?
As with any painting... prep is the key... I've painted with POR-15 on many sets of rails with excellent results... Now I'm using U-Tech 3.8 catalized urethane because of the colors. Both are as durable as powder coating.
As with painting or powdercoating anything... success depends on the prep.
Used or new rails...There is grease and oil on them and in the pores of the aluminum from use or from manufacturing. .... First you have to dissassemble to just the rails.
Then Debur all the sharp edges on the rails... the widows and the tops... paint will stick better and you wont cut yourself working on them.
Then a thorough degreasing with a good cleaner like "Purple power"..."Spray Nine" ... "Simple Green" etc....Use HOT water and scrub them well using a brush and then a scotchbrite pad... rinse and do it again a second time.
Then you need to etch the aluminum...(even if you are using etching primer)... either sandblast them or use "Alumaprep" from your local body shop supply store... $12/Qt.... follow the directions and then let them dry well.
Then use a good quality etching primer in light coats on the clean/dry/etched rails .. a few light coats is better than 1 heavy coat.
Then use the paint of choice... The POR-15 can be brushed on and still give you very smooth results.
Powder coating... CAN be good... But can also ruin the rails if the coater is not experienced with coating high-tech alloys... like the 7129 T-5 that the rails are made from.
NEVER do a "bake off" to clean the rails... Use low temp powders short bake cycles and Make sure that the rails are degregeased BEFORE you take them in... even if they are new.
Lots of ways to do it... good prep and good application give great results.
My 2 cents for what it's worth.
Good luck.
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As with painting or powdercoating anything... success depends on the prep.
Used or new rails...There is grease and oil on them and in the pores of the aluminum from use or from manufacturing. .... First you have to dissassemble to just the rails.
Then Debur all the sharp edges on the rails... the widows and the tops... paint will stick better and you wont cut yourself working on them.
Then a thorough degreasing with a good cleaner like "Purple power"..."Spray Nine" ... "Simple Green" etc....Use HOT water and scrub them well using a brush and then a scotchbrite pad... rinse and do it again a second time.
Then you need to etch the aluminum...(even if you are using etching primer)... either sandblast them or use "Alumaprep" from your local body shop supply store... $12/Qt.... follow the directions and then let them dry well.
Then use a good quality etching primer in light coats on the clean/dry/etched rails .. a few light coats is better than 1 heavy coat.
Then use the paint of choice... The POR-15 can be brushed on and still give you very smooth results.
Powder coating... CAN be good... But can also ruin the rails if the coater is not experienced with coating high-tech alloys... like the 7129 T-5 that the rails are made from.
NEVER do a "bake off" to clean the rails... Use low temp powders short bake cycles and Make sure that the rails are degregeased BEFORE you take them in... even if they are new.
Lots of ways to do it... good prep and good application give great results.
My 2 cents for what it's worth.
Good luck.
.
Por-15 is a very tough and durable coating as MH states, but it does NOT have any uv protectors so it can/will fade if left outside. It can be top coated with a uv protective paint.
Hard coat anodize is the best, followed by powder coat, then catalized paint
Hard coat anodize is the best, followed by powder coat, then catalized paint
O6red is correct... but in the many years that I've been painting truck parts, sled arms/rails/handlebars with this stuff... never had a UV related issue... maybe if the sled sat in the sun for days on end...on a truck bumper I did years back.. the paint did go matte after a couple years in the california sun/heat but it did not loose adhesion.
I agree on the Anodize as long as prep is done well and you use a true Hardcoat Type III ano.
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I agree on the Anodize as long as prep is done well and you use a true Hardcoat Type III ano.
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B
BC_mtn_rider
Well-known member
Powder coat at LOW temp...make sure the coater doesn't leave them in the oven for more than 15-20 minutes. I did mine and they rock. No issues whatsoever and I ride my sled like a rental!
Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like a summer project not just a quick down time weekend thing
Mountainhorse do you happen to know what Polaris will be using on the 2015 skids for paint method ?
Same as the 14's.
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