Hi all

I just got a set of genuine Mazda Fender strakes (LOVE the look it adds). and I want to protect my investment, Iv'e seen a few tidbits about how they will rust/corrode or "pit" over time, and was thinking about a possible solution... would taking them off and putting a clearcoat on them help at all?

Just my $0.02


thanks

 

Or you could just by the stainless steel strakes for half the price.

 

seeing as how I already bought and installed the regular strakes... that would be kinda stupid.

I'm just asking if anyone has done this, or thought about doing this? I can't really see any downside to putting some clear coat on the strakes, unless there is something about spraypainting aluminum I do not know about.

 

Clearcoat has a tendency to yellow with age when sprayed directly over aluminium. You could always take them off and polish them regularly, although it's likely you won't notice the yellowing for years.

 

Have them anodized clear, then they will be fine forever. Or you could have them anodized gold or blue or green or red or lots of other flavors

 

The OEM strakes already have a "clear" coat ... it is a powder or ceramic coat.

I know ... I have sanded and polished it off enough of them. When it is stripped off and polished, the OEMs are every bit as bright as the stainless steel ones from Howard. I just hit 'em with some Flitz every once in a while and they are beautiful.

Shooting 'em with clear is a waste of time ... they already have all the protection a clear can give.