Considering buying a used Sherpa Raw Aluminum Rack. Coating Question!

A lightly used Sherpa Crestone roof rack has popped up locally for sale. The thing I am concerned about is that it is the raw aluminum version. I live in the Midwest and have concerns about oxidation over time and I also just want it to be black anyways. Has annoy one on here bought the raw version? If so what are you using to coat it and how did it turn out?

 

If it's truly raw aluminum (not anodized or coated) it will oxidize and get a bit crusty. Especially if you live where there is actually weather (I live in California) and they use salt or other corrosives on the road in the winter.

Depending on how discounted from new price, you could sent it out for powder coat to protect it. I expect that will exceed any savings from buying used.

You could also paint it. Wouldn't be that tough. Might you $100 in spray paint cans though (assuming your labor is free).

I've built or worked on countless motorcycles and other vehicles over the years and the only raw metal I'll run is stainless steel, and in a few cases brass. Everything else gets painted or power coated.

The saying "there is no free lunch" grow more true with time.

Jason

 

I would definitely powder coat it and make sure to use isolation washers when bolting it to the roof. The last thing that you want is galvanic corrosion on your roof mounting holes.

 

I think it depends on how much oxidation is already present. But whether you paint or powdercoat, it will be crap in short order if the metal isnt properly prepped. A solid 97% of the work is prepping the metal. So if you’re not doing it yourself, I’d ask what prep work the powdercoater does, or is expecting you to do, before it actually gets powder coated.

 

I have a raw Sherpa Crestone rack, I purposefully bought it raw.

Mine has been exposed to the elements a few years now and it's holding up well. There isn't any major aluminum oxidization like you might expect (white powder, etc.), however water spots have basically embedded themselves into the metal. Polishing removes them.

 

@Sandman317 Where do you live?