Anyone ever clear coat polished aluminum?

[Paradox916]

I have polished aluminum many times but never thought to try and put a clear coat on it, in this case it would be for adhesion protection of decals on polished aluminum, anyone ever do this? What was your experience, did it fish eye or even stick? Help a brother out and let me know.

 

[Roberman]

I’ve done this plenty of times, looks dope

 

[Paradox916]

I’ve done this plenty of times, looks dope

nice! you got any pics? Did you go mirror finish?

 

[derevaun]

I usually do that, for fear of the bare aluminum oxidizing over time. Decals stick fine. I think I used laser printed waterslide decals--it's been a few years since I did my own instead of the Tayda printing.

 

[tegendemuur]

Makes me think of those chrome boxes by Red Witch. They looked terrible to me. All those fingerprints! The low effort screen printing (basic labeling of knobs) didn't help. But I often wondered if something nifty could be done; like, mirror shine that actually adds to the artwork presented on the pedal! (as in the magic mirrors like from fairy tales, to give an uninspired example). I'd be interested to see what people have come up with over time.