Painting aluminium: an Aries windvane?

[AndrewB]

I am refurbishing my old Aries windvane, which works well. But it is made of unanondised aluminium so it has an ugly looking powdery surface that is dirty and unpleasant to touch.

Would it be a good idea to paint it, and if so what with? Are there any other ways of improving its appearance?

 

[steve_cronin]

You will need to cut back to bright shiney aluminium then give it a coat of two pack zinc chromate etching primer. After that a good quality cellulose or acrylic top coat will keep it smart for years. There are "high build" paints available from car accessory shops which will give a good finish. Don't buy anything other than a two pack zinc chromate though. International make one.

Steve Cronin

 

[steveh]

For a very high quality finish you could get the parts polyester powder coated. This is a very durable finish avaiable in most colours. Look in your yellow pages for applicators.