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Painting a cast aluminum product to the best quality finish

WE are looking for the best process to paint colors on precision cast components. The possible paint types are E-Coat, Powder Coat, and Anodize. Some of the problems we are hearing about are as follows:
1. Anodize finish will be "blotchy" and not provide a quality look
2. E-coat my warp the product as it must be heated.
3. Powder coat may warp the product while heated

Can you provide any suggestions and pro or cons to any of these processes?

Terry Taggart
Machine Shop - Parker, Colorado
October 27, 2008

As you do not inform us of the items mass, my answer is: Most alloy wheels are powder coated. Modern designs call for very slender struts. My question is - would they powder coat these wheels (some with three baking's at 200C) if there was even a slight problem of warping?

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom
October 31, 2008

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