Preparing aluminum for paint

[Robert Eilers]

I am going to paint my prop spinner, which is now bare aluminum. What is the best method to prepare it for paint?

[bsdunek]

EAA has a nice outline on painting aluminum here: http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilder ... t%203.html?

[c170b53]

The paint requires a primer to "grab on to" The primer "grabs on to" the aluminum if the surface is prepared, dry and clean. You can do the prep using Alumi-prep or by using powdered Tide. Tide removes any grease and surface oxidation all in one go. If you use Alumi-prep, degrease the part first and then as with Tide scotch brite till water beds and runs right off. Then use a primer compatable with your paint. You're probably using a poly, I like the expoxy primer sold by PPG paints. I can't recall the number but there's two types , one for large pieces and another mixture for when your painting small sections. Colour of the primer is a dark green blue, I get mine at the local auto paint store.

[Joe Moilanen]

If you're painting it with Imron, I wouldn't be against shooting it without the primer, aluminum prepped of course.

Joe