[chevellefreek]

im looking to buy a set of valve covers their natural alluminun i would like to paint or powdercoat them but i heard it not easy to get the paint to stick very well to alluminum dont know if its true or not what would be the best way to finish them

 

[huffhuff]

zinc oxide primer will adhere to aluminum

 

[ak 67SD]

paint will stick great (aluminum boats)... just use the the right primer/prep for bare aluminum... zinc chromate is better if you can get it... i used a spray bomb primer when i refinished my boat...

ak

 

[figbash]

The secret in getting paint to stick to aluminum is surface preparation. Use a phosphoric acid metal prep and Scotch Brite pad to clean and roughen the surface, then follow up with a good zinc chromate primer. You won't be able to prime under powder coat but it's still important to roughen the surface for a good grip.

Tom

 

[dsolomon]

I powder coated a set of Mickey Thompson aluminum valve covers 5 years ago and they still look great. I glass bead blasted them and washed them as a prep.

 

[chevellefreek]

im thinking powdercoat cause its more durable then paint so you say just glass bead and prep wash but what do i wash it with like a wax and grease remover

 

[mattiepschevelle]

i've painted lots of aluminum parts being in the aircraft industry, boeing standards, scotch brite, alodine, then we use that green primer you always see, which is just a bright green epoxy primer, than paint..... seems to stay on jets at 300 mph!

 

[figbash]

i've painted lots of aluminum parts being in the aircraft industry, boeing standards, scotch brite, alodine, then we use that green primer you always see, which is just a bright green epoxy primer, than paint..... seems to stay on jets at 300 mph!

I've worked in the aircraft industry as well and while Alodine is excellent protection for aluminum, it is tough to find for the car enthusiast. That "bright green" (or yellow) primer is zinc chromate and unfortunately it is tough to find as well. You may need to go to an aircraft supply house to get it, but there is no better primer for aluminum.

Tom

 

[mattiepschevelle]

i'm pretty sure the newer stuff is epoxy pretty sure the zinc chromate is long gone

 

[figbash]

i'm pretty sure the newer stuff is epoxy pretty sure the zinc chromate is long gone

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty still sells it along with the epoxy primer. It does appear to be phasing out though, probably due to EPA regulations. They also sell Alodine 1201.

Tom

 

[mattiepschevelle]

ya its probably still big in the general aviation world just know about boeing stuff, are you still working on aircraft?

 

[figbash]

ya its probably still big in the general aviation world just know about boeing stuff, are you still working on aircraft?

I used to work for a DOD contractor and did a lot of radar equipment installations in their CV-580's. I changed careers in 2000 and no longer work in aviation. It'll always be in my blood though.

Tom

 

[Bow_Tied]

Nice website Tom!

 

[figbash]

Nice website Tom!

Thanks Ron, Google's Page Creator makes it pretty easy to do.

Tom