Painting Aluminium

[VO5]

I have done some preliminary research and have encountered really complicated explanations with regard to preparatory chemical treatment.
As the item in question will be for cabin use and will not be exposed to the elements, I wonder if any member here has successfully used a spray paint that will not flake. Thanks.

 

[Bilgediver]

I have done some preliminary research and have encountered really complicated explanations with regard to preparatory chemical treatment.
As the item in question will be for cabin use and will not be exposed to the elements, I wonder if any member here has successfully used a spray paint that will not flake. Thanks.

Once you have applied a good base of etching primer what goes on top is probably of little consequence. The etching primer is important as otherwise the paint may possibly bubble off.

Some of the grey aerosols of primer in Halfords are an etching type!

 

[Tradewinds]

As Bilgediver above.

I've had success with

U-POL Acid #8 Etch Primer

Which is available from Halfords among other places

 

[TQA]

Refinished my steering pedastel about 6 months ago. Primed it by brush with Berger Zinc Chromate primer after rubbing down but not rmoving all previous paint. Maybe 25% was bare ali.

Brushed on a couple of coats of regualar yacht paint.

So far so good.

 

[DownWest]

We used to use etch wash primers on ally.Very thin, as weight was a consideration on aircraft. Usually sprayed.
I found the local B&Q has paint that has a self etching component. One coat as a primer/undercoat. Two coats as a finish. Just used it on our ally run-about. I will tell you next year how good it is...

 

[Stemar]

When I refurbished a couple of window frames on Jissel, they really should have gone in the bin, but the replacement cost gave me palpitations, so I ground out the corrosion and filled with platic metal. To finish, they got a couple of coats of Hammerite non-ferrous primer followed by silver Smoothrite.

Still looking good about 3 years on.

 

[theoldsalt]

I used "Hammerite Special Metals Primer" and then "Hammerite Smooth" brush paint on my wind generator. Very satisfactory so should be Ok for inside.

 

[saltylegs]

For internal ally I used etch primer and "plasticote" in a spray can from b&q available in lots of colours, matt, gloss, etc

 

[VO5]

Thanks for all your contributions. Very helpful indeed.
Using all this information I will try the local car care shop.

 

[maby]

Go to your nearest Land Rover dealer - they are all aluminium, so they will have everything you need to do your painting...

 

[VO5]

I have today bought two products, both sprays.
Both manufactured by HYCOTE.
Hycote HyGuard ZINC PRIMING and Acrylic Formulation Gloss White.
I will let you all know how I get on.