Stainless, aluminum or powder coat for outdoor use??

[dhays]

I'm looking to do a few outdoor projects and I'd like them to look good and be maintanance free for years! I'd really like to have a bare metal finish and not have to deal with clear coating or powder coating, however, as I read more and more into different materials, I'm not sure this is a realistic goal. Whatever I choose to go with, it needs to stand up to Canadian winters (South-Western Ontario). Nothing will be structural (large dining table frame, that sort of thing).

If anyone could share their outdoor experiences with 304 stainless, 316 stainless or 6061 aluminum, it would be much appreciated. Any other material suggestions would also be very appreciated.

[aametalmaster]

Powder coat sucks for out doors. It rusts where the pc can't get into. Paint in my book. If you can afford SS go for it...Bob

[H80N]

I'm looking to do a few outdoor projects and I'd like them to look good and be maintanance free for years! I'd really like to have a bare metal finish and not have to deal with clear coating or powder coating, however, as I read more and more into different materials, I'm not sure this is a realistic goal. Whatever I choose to go with, it needs to stand up to Canadian winters (South-Western Ontario). Nothing will be structural (large dining table frame, that sort of thing).

If anyone could share their outdoor experiences with 304 stainless, 316 stainless or 6061 aluminum, it would be much appreciated. Any other material suggestions would also be very appreciated.

Electropolished 304 stainless will last forever... and look the same in 100 years..... pricey though

[FusionKing]

I vote powder coated aluminum.
Just make it thick and drill holes for water to drain out.
Light enough to move around and last longer than you may care to keep it.

[ryanjones2150]

You can always go with clear powder coating. Get your surface finish however you want it and have it clear coated.

If the metal had any sense, it wouldn't attempt to stand up to any sort of Canadian winter....

If you go with powder coating or paint or clear coat, remember to break all sharp edges. Sharp corners drastically reduce the life of any sort of coating. It will pull away and be thin right from the start and will make you sad.

[dhays]

Electropolished 304 stainless will last forever... and look the same in 100 years..... pricey though

Thanks for the suggestion H80N! I'm sure i'll cry when I price it out but the look of electropolished is exactly what I'm going for, and I'd rather work with stainless then aluminum to be honest.

Maybe somebody can help me understand something. How do all the aluminum things I see outside stay looking so good? Aluminum boats, aluminum trailers & car haulers, airstreams... the list goes on. Are they treated in some way? is it just based on aluminum grade?

[H80N]

Thanks for the suggestion H80N! I'm sure i'll cry when I price it out but the look of electropolished is exactly what I'm going for, and I'd rather work with stainless then aluminum to be honest.

Maybe somebody can help me understand something. How do all the aluminum things I see outside stay looking so good? Aluminum boats, aluminum trailers & car haulers, airstreams... the list goes on. Are they treated in some way? is it just based on aluminum grade?

Aluminum self protects by forming a hard clear oxide layer

http://news.stanford.edu/pr/00/aluminum511.html

[dhays]

Aluminum self protects by forming a hard clear oxide layer

http://news.stanford.edu/pr/00/aluminum511.html

Understood, but sometimes it oxides and corrodes like crazy and ends up looking terrible?... Or is that only caused by improper assembly creating galvanic corrosion?

Would I be happy just building everything out of 6061, polishing it up and putting it outside? Or is it going to be covered in white chalky stuff and corroded in 4 months time?

[H80N]

Understood, but sometimes it oxides and corrodes like crazy and ends up looking terrible?... Or is that only caused by improper assembly creating galvanic corrosion?

Would I be happy just building everything out of 6061, polishing it up and putting it outside? Or is it going to be covered in white chalky stuff and corroded in 4 months time?

The alloys do not weather nearly as well as pure aluminum

[dhays]

The alloys do not weather nearly as well as pure aluminum

So again, what keeps these things made from aluminum alloys looking so good? Does any one have any examples of how 6061 or 5052 has weathered over a period of time?

Thanks!

[H80N]

So again, what keeps these things made from aluminum alloys looking so good? Does any one have any examples of how 6061 or 5052 has weathered over a period of time?

Thanks!

Having been involved with polished aluminum aircraft...... the secret to maintaining that mirror sheen was "Flitz" & lots of elbow grease....

[Broccoli1]

I believe the lower maintenance shiny alooominum is anodized. i.e boat rails, towers etc.

[WillieB]

My Grumman canoe is 50 years old. It is no longer shiny, but is as functional as it ever was.

Willie

[FusionKing]

My Grumman canoe is 50 years old. It is no longer shiny, but is as functional as it ever was.

Willie

Exactly
5052 is for marine and it will last a real long time