Powder Coat Alpha Skid

Sled424 · Oct 16, 2018

Was looking to powder coat my alpha skid when it arrives. With certain parts made of magnesium will that affect the powder coating process? Or will have i have to find another way to change the color? Annodize? Looking to make it med green. Any info is appreciated!

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ndfb35 · Oct 16, 2018

I've been asking since it came out. I have emailed Cat and got nothing, talked to a Cat guy visiting my dealer, he didn't know. I emailed Country Cat and they didn't know either.

What I got out of the Cat guy visiting my dealer was: the parts are coated prior to them being bonded together and he said he wouldn't risk it.

Anodizing should be fine or if you wanted to paint it. What I think I'm going to do is get the rail wrap from Octane Ink. They offer it and you could do something custom or solid, or whatever and I'm thinking it will hold up well.

Sled424 · Oct 16, 2018

Looks like getting a wrap will be easiest and cheapest way to get it done. Hard to find someone to get it anodized and match the color to paint it

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ndfb35 · Oct 16, 2018

If you happen to order one and get a chance install it, give a report. I won't be able pick up my Alpha for a few more weeks until I get home.

Sled424 · Oct 16, 2018

My Alpha wont be here until mid November but i will let you know if it does decide to show up sooner!

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madmax · Oct 17, 2018

I’m Looking at doing the same thing. I think it’ll be hard to find a wrap that covers all the purple on the mono rail. The standard octane ink wrap only covers about 1/2 the alpha rail. I’m thinking of just keeping the purple now and going with a wrap that matches.

snowmobiler · Oct 17, 2018

spray can.

boondocker97 · Oct 17, 2018

Doing a REALLY good prep job and having it painted by a body shop or spray cans of med green right from Cat would be my vote.

ndfb35 · Oct 17, 2018

I was considering having it painted, but the color I want it might be tough to match to the powder going on the spindles, boards and bumpers.

j hoalst · Oct 20, 2018

I just ordered a wrap from octane. You could never match medium green thru anodizing. Painting medium green would be the only way to not affect integrity imo

Turblue · Mar 31, 2019

Anyone try powder coating the rail?

mountainhorse · Mar 31, 2019

Since that mono rail is pretty highly stressed while riding... I'd stay away from powder coating as it has a high probability of ruining the heat treat.
Many have claimed good luck with powcoat of rails, but I've seen the results when things are not ideal.

Paint gets my vote.

tswan · Mar 31, 2019

Do not powder coat it. I was told the heat does damage one of the bonding agents causing problems.

Turblue · Mar 31, 2019

Isn’t it powder coated from factory? Sure looks like powder coat.

I powder coat my own parts for years...spindles, rails etc ...never had a issue with making it weaker, but I agree would suck if it made it weaker.

Turblue · Mar 31, 2019

tswan said:
Do not powder coat it. I was told the heat does damage one of the bonding agents causing problems.[/QUOTE

That’s what I was wondering....guess it does have some bonding glue type agents ....so must be epoxy type paint.

Found this write up.
https://www.snowmobile.com/manufacturer/arctic-cat/2019-arctic-cat-alpha-one-mountain-cat

jason_hildo · Mar 31, 2019

You can't powder coat it because Cat literally glues the pieces together, there is small screws and rivets to hold it together while the bonding agent dries. I'm gonna pull mine off and get it painted by and autobody shop, I'm sure they can match the powder coat of aftermarket running boards/bumpers or factory match.

edit: Turblue beat me to it

turboless terry · Mar 31, 2019

Friend of mine knows a guy that powder coated his and was a big mistake.

Wheel House Motorsports · Apr 1, 2019

The glue that holds all the brackets/pieces together doesn't like the heat powder requires.

Seen numerous ones fail rider #1 after coating.

Embrace the purple! lol, or get it painted.

d1100t · Apr 1, 2019

Rail

I was going to powder coat my rail but chickened out.
So I had an auto body shop paint mine black.

Turblue · Apr 2, 2019

d1100t said:
I was going to powder coat my rail but chicken out.
So I had an auto body shop paint mine black.

How did it stand up? Have a picture?

Powder Coat Alpha Skid

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