A few parts of the lathe that I am cleaning up now, are aluminum. I want to repaint it and want to select some primer that would stick to aluminum. Would you have any recommendations. The lathe would generally live a relatively sheltered life. Thanks
Check with an autobody supply. There are also conversion coatings that leave an aluminum surface prepped for paint. Might not be available in small quantities. Really, if it's not going to be exposed to weather, any decent spray can stuff will stick well enough.
Stan
No weather exposure, and no abuse is expected.
i
There are a lot of surface prep solutions to use before the primer. FPL ( Forrest Product Labs ) etch is one of the good ones. Alodyne is another. And then there is acid etch primer. But I think you can get away without using any of those. But scrub the surface with Scotchbrite minutes before priming. If you use a Scotchbrite like product,then clean with acetone after the scrubbing. Products similar to Scotchbrite are likely to leave a residue.
=20 Dan
Use a two part self-etch primer containing phosphoric acid, the same as for the bare steel. Get it from an autobody paint supplier if you can't find it elsewhere.
Mark Rand RTFM
Or you could leave it bare and let it oxidize. In a few hours to half a day it will oxidize on the surface and form its own protective layer.
Zinc Cromate is a long standing primer. Is available in spray cans. If Home Depot, does not carry, most marine stores do.
on 1/22/2010, Ignoramus6241 supposed :
NAPA Martin Senour primer in a spray can. #7220 (Self etching)
Wayne D.
Surface treatment is more important than primer selection. Find an autobody supply store in your area, get some Ditzler DX-533 Alumiprep. It's available in quarts. Follow the directions, treat the areas to be painted. Just about any good primer will level nicely and adhere well after this treatment.
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