Painting aluminium

This topic has 11 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 31 July 2015 at 09:36 by Ajohnw.

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29 July 2015 at 21:30 #198409
Nick_G
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@nick_g
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Hi guy's

This is really not a ME question as it's concerning my motorbike.! Although there are some very switched on guy's on the motorbike forums I feel I will get a more straightforward answer here.

I presently have the wheels off my bike for a friend of mine to fit new tyres onto. The sliders on the front suspension are looking a bit tatty. So while the bike is jacked up I have removed the stanchions and sliders with a view to giving them some paint. I now have them down to the bare aluminium.

I know that an acid etch type primer is required initially. But my question is once the etch primer is cured is it then best to follow with a 'normal' primer before the finish coats or can I go straight to that stage.?

Thanks, Nick
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29 July 2015 at 21:30 #24007
Nick_G
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@nick_g
29 July 2015 at 21:34 #198410
Mark P.
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@markp
I would put normal primer over the etch prime if I were you.
Mark P.
29 July 2015 at 21:53 #198412
SarahJ
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@sarahj
Hi Nick, I've used U-Pol Acid etch #8 on a few projects now and never had to use another primer. The product data and data sheet are on the link below: http://www.u-pol.co.uk/product-cat/35/acid%238™-acid-etch-primer.htm
29 July 2015 at 21:54 #198413
SarahJ
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@sarahj
http://www.u-pol.co.uk/product-cat/35/acid%238™-acid-etch-primer.htm
29 July 2015 at 22:01 #198415
Alex Collins
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@alexcollins55045
It depends on what you want to put on as a top coat.
I always put a single coat of primer on the top of the etch primer.
That makes sure it'll stay good in my book and adds very little cost.
29 July 2015 at 23:15 #198420
Robbo
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@robbo
I've used U-Pol acid etch #8 on aluminium and galvanised steel, followed it up as soon as dry with a couple of coats of topcoat gloss and it has made a great job . As the saying goes "sticks like s**t to a blanket"
30 July 2015 at 05:05 #198429
Hopper
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@hopper
Etch primer is primer. No need to put primer over primer.
30 July 2015 at 08:37 #198434
Steve Pavey
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@stevepavey65865
Depends on the type of etch primer used. If you use a zinc chromate etch primer it is only put on as a very thin mist coat. It will need a conventional primer applied on top to give some film thickness so it can be flatted ready for a top coat. Some of the two-pack primers are also meant to be used as a base for an epoxy primer.

Some information on primers here **LINK**
30 July 2015 at 09:00 #198436
richardandtracy
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@richardandtracy
My next-door neighbour at home is a coachworks. The owner uses etch primer then normal undercoat that goes straight on steel bodywork, then a top coat when he has aluminium panel Landrovers to restore.

Regards,

Richard
31 July 2015 at 09:23 #198568
Ian S C
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@iansc
Apparently the stuff used today in aviation is Strontium Chromate, this seems to have superseded Zinc Chromate.

Ian S C
31 July 2015 at 09:36 #198569
Ajohnw
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@ajohnw51620
I did an entire kit car once. 1st thing was a scratch brush, 2nd an aluminium etching primer and then what ever paint.

The scratch brush was about 3" dia on a 5in angle grinder and left a matt finish.

No problems with the paintwork over the 6 years or so I knew where the car was and some of it was pretty flexible. Plenty of problems with the gearbox mountings. Tuned up engine and they were made of boiler plate.

John

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