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).
--

The BBC: Licensed at public expense to spread lies.

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).
--

The BBC: Licensed at public expense to spread lies.

Paul Burridge wrote:

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).

I have bought it in the US. It is tough and good looking.

--
John Popelish

Paul Burridge wrote:

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).

I have bought it in the US. It is tough and good looking.

--
John Popelish

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

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

donutbandit wrote:
wrote in :

Imeron; used on airplanes and a bit pricey.


Imron is very special and pricy stuff. It requires a hardener and can frost
up your lungs if you don't use the proper breathing apparatus. In other
words, you die. It costs over $100 a gallon.

I said it was pricey.

As for the danger, lots of things related to amateur radio can be dangerous
and can kill you.

Working on a KW amplifier is dangerous and can kill you if you don't know
what you are doing.

Doing just about anything with a tower is dangerous and can kill you if
you don't know what you are doing.

The paint, just like the tower, comes with safety instructions.

If someone is dumb enough to ignore safety instructions, well...

I simply cannot believe that anyone would recommend this paint in this
newsgroup for painting a bit of metal. Do you use rocket fuel in your car
as well?

You paint aluminum like any other metal.

The poster didn't ask HOW to paint aluminum, he asked about tough, long
lasting paint. Imeron is tough, long lasting paint.

It seems that the Internet has invented something that could never have
survived previously - the instant specialist. This person repeats any and
all gossip, rumors and inuendo as if it's fact, with no experience
whatsoever.

What makes you think I have no experience with Imeron?

Isn't it a bit condescending of you to decide what is too expensive or too
dangerous for someone else to use?

I credit the original poster with enough intelligence to make his own
decisions on that.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove -spam-sux to reply.

donutbandit wrote:
wrote in :

Imeron; used on airplanes and a bit pricey.


Imron is very special and pricy stuff. It requires a hardener and can frost
up your lungs if you don't use the proper breathing apparatus. In other
words, you die. It costs over $100 a gallon.

I said it was pricey.

As for the danger, lots of things related to amateur radio can be dangerous
and can kill you.

Working on a KW amplifier is dangerous and can kill you if you don't know
what you are doing.

Doing just about anything with a tower is dangerous and can kill you if
you don't know what you are doing.

The paint, just like the tower, comes with safety instructions.

If someone is dumb enough to ignore safety instructions, well...

I simply cannot believe that anyone would recommend this paint in this
newsgroup for painting a bit of metal. Do you use rocket fuel in your car
as well?

You paint aluminum like any other metal.

The poster didn't ask HOW to paint aluminum, he asked about tough, long
lasting paint. Imeron is tough, long lasting paint.

It seems that the Internet has invented something that could never have
survived previously - the instant specialist. This person repeats any and
all gossip, rumors and inuendo as if it's fact, with no experience
whatsoever.

What makes you think I have no experience with Imeron?

Isn't it a bit condescending of you to decide what is too expensive or too
dangerous for someone else to use?

I credit the original poster with enough intelligence to make his own
decisions on that.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove -spam-sux to reply.

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?

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?

in UK there is a paint called Hammerite, you can get both "crincle"
{similar to the finish as used on the AR88} or smooth. cost is about 3
quid ( six dollars US ) for a small can or for a spray cannister, the
latter is easier to use but has less paint. It sticks well and can
give a very professional finish.
FWIW, Mike W
--

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?

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?

in UK there is a paint called Hammerite, you can get both "crincle"
{similar to the finish as used on the AR88} or smooth. cost is about 3
quid ( six dollars US ) for a small can or for a spray cannister, the
latter is easier to use but has less paint. It sticks well and can
give a very professional finish.
FWIW, Mike W
--