What parts DON'T you paint?

[KDOG]

I was looking at my pedal webs earlier today and thinking that if I painted them the paint would probably just come off from my shoes. I was thinking of leaving them bare and putting strips of grip tape across the front of them for traction.

Also, I was planning of leaving my rotorhead cheek plates bare (maybe clear coat them) so it would be easier to look for cracks. Anything wrong with that idea?

[gyroparts]

I think that I am going to do the same on my webs. Leave them bare. Nothing really stays on them for very long. I will probably anodize the cheek plates black to match the Starbee rotor head. Not a bad idea leaving them bare to see whats going on though.

[Brian Jackson]

I am anodizing these parts as well. However, since you (Kevin) are painting the airframe, anodizing would incur an unnecessarily high cost for such a small part count... they generally charge per dip. Leaving them bare would make more sense financially, and your reasoning seems sound.

[robertstodaro]

diving board non-slip tape.

[KDOG]

Also, the pedals will look better plain than the paint being all tore up....

[banaari]

I thoroughly agree.

Have discovered that while anodising does harden up the surface, it can still ding... and mine being a contrasting colour from the underlying metal, it shows up like a sore thumb. Ralph's approach, going with a natural aluminium finish, will of course minimise the problem.

Will be leaving the pedal brackets, web etc, as bare metal.

[gyromike]

My pedals are powdercoated, and have yet to show the slightest bit of wear on the paint in 6 years.

[KDOG]

Just rub it in why don't you.... ;)

[scottessex]

powdercoat is the way to go.

[Brian Jackson]

powdercoat is the way to go.
Indeed. Tough stuff. The pedal webs and arch braces on my ship are being powdercoated with a finish called "Coal Black Wrinkle". I've used this finish on some equipment rack units I designed a few years ago and it's held up really well on the road. It's a textured (rough to the touch) finished that offers a beautiful non-slip surface, while being extremely durable.

[Dale Young]

Mine are powder-coated as well. 3 years later,still look like brand new. I did recently add traction rubber. And it looks and works great.