"Paul Burridge" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 13:50:00 GMT, "Martin"
wrote:


"Bill Turner" wrote in message
.. .
Does anyone have any suggestions for painting aluminum in a way that
will be tougher and longer-lasting than you get with the usual spray
can?

I have a small compressed air paint sprayer, and I'm wondering if
automotive paint might be good, or perhaps something else? Mainly
interested in black or shades of gray. What is the best primer for
aluminum?

--
Bill, W6WRT

I've gotten the best results by first washing with a strong detergent,
drying, and then using fine steel wool (0000 grade), wiping with a tack
cloth to pick up any steel wool and other dust, and then using a zinc
chromate primer.

Do youse guys in the US not have Hammerite paint? That's what we
mostly use here in Britain. It's top-notch stuff. Needs no priming or
special preparation at all; tough, durable, corrosion-resistant finish
suitable for exterior metalwork in all climates. Good range of colours
finishes and textures. And it's non-toxic. The only thing you need is
the special thinner (only for cleaning brushes or spray equipment -
not the application part).
--

It's available here. Their web page recommends use of their primer for
aluminum.

"Paul Burridge" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 13:50:00 GMT, "Martin"
wrote:


"Bill Turner" wrote in message
.. .
Does anyone have any suggestions for painting aluminum in a way that
will be tougher and longer-lasting than you get with the usual spray
can?

I have a small compressed air paint sprayer, and I'm wondering if
automotive paint might be good, or perhaps something else? Mainly
interested in black or shades of gray. What is the best primer for
aluminum?

--
Bill, W6WRT

I've gotten the best results by first washing with a strong detergent,
drying, and then using fine steel wool (0000 grade), wiping with a tack
cloth to pick up any steel wool and other dust, and then using a zinc
chromate primer.

Do youse guys in the US not have Hammerite paint? That's what we
mostly use here in Britain. It's top-notch stuff. Needs no priming or
special preparation at all; tough, durable, corrosion-resistant finish
suitable for exterior metalwork in all climates. Good range of colours
finishes and textures. And it's non-toxic. The only thing you need is
the special thinner (only for cleaning brushes or spray equipment -
not the application part).
--

It's available here. Their web page recommends use of their primer for
aluminum.

John Popelish wrote in message ...

A number of years ago I picked up a pint of an acid, from NAPA
Auto Parts, used to clean aluminum for painting.
Once clean, I use epoxy appliance spray paint from the local
hardware store.

Bill Turner wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions for painting aluminum in a way that
will be tougher and longer-lasting than you get with the usual spray
can?

I have a small compressed air paint sprayer, and I'm wondering if
automotive paint might be good, or perhaps something else? Mainly
interested in black or shades of gray. What is the best primer for
aluminum?

--
Bill, W6WRT

Most paint bonds well to aluminum oxide, if it is completely clean. I
think the best oxide for paint adhesion is a porous chromate anodize,
but thermal oxidation is very good, also. If the object can take the
heat, Wipe it with paint thinner, let dry, and bake it in a hot oven
(450 F) for an hour or so to evaporate or oxidize all traces of
surface oil and provide a good surface oxide. Do not touch it with
skin before painting.

John Popelish wrote in message ...

A number of years ago I picked up a pint of an acid, from NAPA
Auto Parts, used to clean aluminum for painting.
Once clean, I use epoxy appliance spray paint from the local
hardware store.

Bill Turner wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions for painting aluminum in a way that
will be tougher and longer-lasting than you get with the usual spray
can?

I have a small compressed air paint sprayer, and I'm wondering if
automotive paint might be good, or perhaps something else? Mainly
interested in black or shades of gray. What is the best primer for
aluminum?

--
Bill, W6WRT

Most paint bonds well to aluminum oxide, if it is completely clean. I
think the best oxide for paint adhesion is a porous chromate anodize,
but thermal oxidation is very good, also. If the object can take the
heat, Wipe it with paint thinner, let dry, and bake it in a hot oven
(450 F) for an hour or so to evaporate or oxidize all traces of
surface oil and provide a good surface oxide. Do not touch it with
skin before painting.

On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 21:19:53 -0800, Bill Turner
wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions for painting aluminum in a way that
will be tougher and longer-lasting than you get with the usual spray
can?

An alternative might be anodizing, which is a very durable and
corrosion resistant finish.

Some outfits which do anodizing will add your part in with a batch of
other things with the same process, and it could be far less $$ than
you think.

Any surface treatment, anodizing, paint, or whatever: surface
prep/cleaning is the key to a quality finish.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 21:19:53 -0800, Bill Turner
wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions for painting aluminum in a way that
will be tougher and longer-lasting than you get with the usual spray
can?

An alternative might be anodizing, which is a very durable and
corrosion resistant finish.

Some outfits which do anodizing will add your part in with a batch of
other things with the same process, and it could be far less $$ than
you think.

Any surface treatment, anodizing, paint, or whatever: surface
prep/cleaning is the key to a quality finish.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 19:07:05 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
wrote:


I've had mixed success with Hammerite on aluminium (alloy). It certainly
covers well, but in the longer term it tends to flake off aluminium
surfaces that had not been extremely well cleaned and de-greased before
painting. Since the object in question was a 12-yagi antenna array,
scrupulous cleaning of every square inch was not a practical option.

Why do you want to paint an antenna ?
If it is going to be outside, you may need to check out the airplane paint.

That's the cyanide-based one, isn't it? He'll need a full-face,
filtered respirator with an air pump and inlet at least 30' away or
risk a sudden and very unpleasant death. Seems a bit OTT 2 me.
--

The BBC: Licensed at public expense to spread lies.

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 19:07:05 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
wrote:


I've had mixed success with Hammerite on aluminium (alloy). It certainly
covers well, but in the longer term it tends to flake off aluminium
surfaces that had not been extremely well cleaned and de-greased before
painting. Since the object in question was a 12-yagi antenna array,
scrupulous cleaning of every square inch was not a practical option.

Why do you want to paint an antenna ?
If it is going to be outside, you may need to check out the airplane paint.

That's the cyanide-based one, isn't it? He'll need a full-face,
filtered respirator with an air pump and inlet at least 30' away or
risk a sudden and very unpleasant death. Seems a bit OTT 2 me.
--

The BBC: Licensed at public expense to spread lies.

I've had mixed success with Hammerite on aluminium (alloy). It certainly
covers well, but in the longer term it tends to flake off aluminium
surfaces that had not been extremely well cleaned and de-greased before
painting. Since the object in question was a 12-yagi antenna array,
scrupulous cleaning of every square inch was not a practical option.

Why do you want to paint an antenna ?
If it is going to be outside, you may need to check out the airplane paint.

I've had mixed success with Hammerite on aluminium (alloy). It certainly
covers well, but in the longer term it tends to flake off aluminium
surfaces that had not been extremely well cleaned and de-greased before
painting. Since the object in question was a 12-yagi antenna array,
scrupulous cleaning of every square inch was not a practical option.

Why do you want to paint an antenna ?
If it is going to be outside, you may need to check out the airplane paint.