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Best coating for preserving Pigma Micron ink on aluminum?

2004

I'm putting together a small desktop computer, and I'm building its chassis from scratch. I am decorating its four 4" angle irons and two 4" x 7" side panels, all are made of aluminum. I'm almost finished decorating these parts, using Pigma Micron pens and Sharpie permanent markers. The ink on both types of pens scratches off fairly easily, and I'm looking for a good non-stick, scratch resistant, transparent finish to protect my work. I already tried using both Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic spray, and Chartpak clear gloss spray on test panels, but I was able to very easily scratch off each type of coating. Furthermore, whatever coating I scraped off took whatever was under it with it.

Here is a picture of what my side panels currently look like...

Thanks in advance. :)

Jason "Creamy Goodness" Tenn
personal case mod - Washington TWP, New Jersey

I've used clear urethane out of a spray can. It's OK on dark surfaces as the slight yellow color of the urethane doesn't show. For added protection, lay the surface flat, put on a few light coats, letting it mostly dry between coats. Then put on a heavy coat, thick enough to form a smooth puddle over the surface. Carefully put it on the top rack in the kitchen oven. Set the oven at the lowest temperature you can and leave the door propped open several inches. The idea is to heat the base material more than the top surface of the urethane, otherwise the urethane will blister. Let it bake overnight. If it's too hot, the urethane will turn a brown-yellow color. Suggest you try a few practice pieces first.

Tom Gallant
- Long Beach, California
2004

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I know it's a bit late for saying this, but thanks for getting back to me Tom. I tried spraying my panels with something called Minwax Polycrylic [affil links]. It's a coating that's primarily meant for wood, but it apparently did a good job of protecting my aluminum panels as well. I sprayed four thin coats of the Polycrylic onto the panels. I was considering putting a fifth, really thick coat on, but decided it was fine as it is. I don't think I needed to put the panels in the oven though. I sprayed the coats outside in the sun on a hot day, so that could have had the same effect.

Jason "Creamy Goodness" Tenn [returning]
personal case mod - Washington TWP, New Jersey
2004