the monkeys belly is full for now

[Pen3]

just so you know the alphas style reels can't be anodized. The body is cast and it has some other metals in it that will not take the anodize. That is why this reel is painted because i had it anodized and found out the hard way

damn that kinda ruins my plan for a bling alphas

[Fishingboy]

just so you know the alphas style reels can't be anodized. The body is cast and it has some other metals in it that will not take the anodize. That is why this reel is painted because i had it anodized and found out the hard way

S36,
It would be great if you could shen some light on how did the anodizing go with the alphas and what went wrong?

[GAMEOVER]

I also would have painted the plastic side plate. I just dont care for it for some reason. Maybe it looks diff in person though? You never answered my question, is that the IZE red spool?

[superman_36]

Fishingboy
The anodizing looked flat black with a hint of blue. The reason it wouldn't take is because of the make up of the aluminum and that it was cast not machined out of a block like the Millionaire reels.

GAMEOVER

Yes it is an Ize spool and the reason I didn't paint the side plate is that I want it to still look like an ITO just with a twist

[Fishingboy]

S36,

Being a non-expert in the field of surface enginnering and anodizing in general, IMHO the failed anodizing of the alphas could be due to impurities. I think, if you have the aluminum frame of the alphas polished, there's some chance that the anodizing might go on well. but, don't take my word for it, i'm just speculating. but i'd really love to see an anodyzed Alphas! btw, nice new rod, especially the Heartland!

[Pen3]

Yeah i been thinking over and over again about buying one of the Daiwa Heartlands and ended up with a Steez. Tell us how it performs and maybe i grab one too. ^^

[superman_36]

I asked the same questions but he said it is all about what is below the polish that will let the color etch in or not. The drag star on the reel is the same material and won't take the color, but you look at a drag star for the steez and it will anodize fine. The ring on the drag star for the alphas, pixy and Presso is fine to color evident by the presso with it being orange.

[Fishingboy]

S36,
Thanks agian for the info!

[superman_36]

Pen3

I hope to have some stories tomorrow about the rod if i can get them to bite

I did catch a 20 inch 6lb smallie today on the MB Aaron martins with the stella. Talk about one awesome fight, 6 lb line in a fast moving river it was a fight i will never forget

[skinhead]

What can I say? That gear is absolutely awesome.

[just4kix]

S36,

Beautiful custom paint job! Sure wish something like had been done with the Ito to begin with.

[reelblues]

Super,
Great job. The ito has a polished aluminum frame, so I assume you had prep it in some way, and then what kind of paint did you use? Auto paint? We had a thread a while back about reel painting and I never got an answer in what is the material painted or powdercoated on the magnesium reels, like Pixy's. I'm thinking you would have to sand a Pixy cover all the way down to the metal and then paint. Is this a question you can answer and what were the steps you used on the paint for the ito?

[GAMEOVER]

Oh that makes sense Super, not much of a point having an ito if you cant tell it is indeed one.

[even26]

can't wait to read your stories/report...