Thread: Alloy Bull Bar- Paint or Powdercoat?

Get it powder coated if u wanna spend money if not spray it. Powder coating will last alot longer but make sure they etch it first some places dont and the powder coating will not stick to ali. i would go a satin finish its still abit shinny without it being to crazy.

Semi gloss is the best option with powder coat which will be exposed to the weather, it's more stable and fade resistant than gloss.
Aluminium is an excellent base for powder coat as long as they follow the correct process.
If you decide to paint, make sure you use an etch primer on the bare ally before the usual primer and top coat.

Cheers, Murray

Just remember if you have to repair it or weld it , all that money on powdercoating will go to waste.
I have this dilemna at the moment . I have an alloy bullbar under the house which split a weld when I just tapped a tree. I would like to have reinforcing fillets welded to the back of the tubes, but this means stripping a lot of the powdercoat off.
Regards Philip A

Thanks, seems like painting is the way to go. Easy to touch up and cheap.

You could get it coated with a nylon based material.
Not only does it come in various colours but you can heat it and repair it with a gentle blow lamp is you nick or scuff it.

I use a small family company near me for my customers' bull bars etc, I bet you must have someone similar down your way.
appliedplastic.com/
Dennis
zedcars

If you decide to go low cost with a spray can (which should be OK given there are not big flat areas) try the White Knight - Rust Guard Epoxy Enamel, its not quick drying but the satin black is good, and it is a hard finish. Has to be over etch primer as mentioned which they also make. Bunnings have it but so do a other hardware stores probably.

Where would be an ideal place to pick up the relevant bolts etc for a bull bar that doesnt come with the set?
Landrover Discovery 2 Bullbar | eBay

Thats just down the road from me. Would I have preferred a nice shiny steel triple hoop bullbar? Yes, but for funds, and locale... this one tempts me only it hasnt got everything required.
Spose I'd have to get a sparkie to wire up the indicators, and what is the light next to it? Parkers? Can the bull bar be put on before it gets to an autoelec and he still manage or would it be too hard to fiddle once its already on?

I would go powdercaoat, the bar on my Rodeo was powdercoated in a dark grey/black hammered metal finish.

I wouldn't worry to much about having to strip the bar for repairs, I bent mine while offroading and my insurance replaced it.