Strongest Clear Coat

Ok, I have a 1982 XJ750 maxim. I have custom built my own forward controls out of scrap metal I had laying around. I used Caterpillar tractor bolts as the foot pegs, the shift and brake pegs are 1 inch thick by 3 inch in legs. the actual foot pegs are 1.8 inch thick by 4.8 inch in length. but the size doesn't matter. I kept them bare metal to give it a decent look, with 12 coats of rattle can clear coating, thinking it would hold the weather off of the metal, typically it rusted anyways. so i'm cleaning them up again and I am wondering what type of clear coating would work best for this situation whether it be acrylic, Hardened enamel, powder coating, est. Just something that will stick to the metal to hold out the weather and the rust but strong enough now to rub off with my boots.

 

Nice job on the controls. You can try the clear engine enamel, but I think you'll find yourself having to re-do it often. Could also give the brush on Polyurethane a try or go with anodizing the pegs.

 

Of coarse the poly would probably look like crap because it's so thick, but thin would probably wear through fast. Catch 22 situation. Anodizing is probably the best option if you want a finished look.

 

What do you think of acrylic? Would that hold up like those to? I was thinking that maybe If I could dip them in some of the 3 clears and hang them to dry, maybe one of those 3 would spread evenly while dripping off access unneeded clear coating?

 

I've even had thoughts of using galvanize spray, Then clear over that even. Mostly just rust prevention, but I don't want to paint it an actual color is all. I like the look of the bolts.

 

You could try 'actual' zinc plating (galvanising). Quite a few restorers to it to reclaim factory fixings (nut's bolts etc..) As always theres's a fair bit of prep
but the plating process can be done at home - from what I've read anyway...

 

Not sure about acrylic and the galvanizing spray only works as good as paint does.

 

Galvanizing spray isn't any better than paint, but actual zinc plating is. Caswell sells DYI kits for plating with several different metals.

There really isn't any spray-on anything that will hold up to a boot rubbing on a peg.

 

thin some polyester resin, for laying up fiberglass, with acetone and paint that on, or dunk them in it

 

The only things that are going to be durable enough are plating\galvanizing, and powder coating. I am not aware of any type of spray\brush on coating that would hold up to the constant abuse of riding boats.

Ghost

 

Stainless...expensive though..

 

I don't think he wants to pay to coat the bolts in stainless....

 

Silver anodize them. You can do that at home with a kit.

 

Just found out my buddy works for a machine shop, he offered to get them zinc plated for me. think I'm gonna do that. Wont have a polished bolt look but it will be sealed, hopefully. I don't know to much about zinc plating.

 

Thanks for all the inputs on this issue. Its all very helpful.