Armortek

Hi all, can anybody advise on preparation of aluminium ie :- cleaning before painting type of paint etc., need's to be done good because once all complete it's got to be stored in a shed so liable to get damp in the colder seasons.
Will be much appreciated
Roger

Hi Roger.

I always scuff up or rub down if you like the aluminium surface with a medium oxide paper to form a key, then I prime with Upol acid 8 I think others on the forum will agree its just about the best though not cheap, you can buy it from Halfords in a spray can, you only want a thin coat though for the acid to properly etch the metal. Over that you can then use primer again in my case this is Halfords own in grey or mustard colour depending on what you are painting, if you look back through the King Tiger section you will be able to find build posts I have done in the past.
Hope this helps a little if not just give me a shout always happy to help.
Cheers Paul.

Hi Paul Tank's for the info, looks like you've had plenty of experience,been looking at your facebook page very nice job you do.
Cheer's Roger

Paul is spot on. It's also useful to use some acetone to remove any residual grease from handling or machining before rubbing down. When I get bored with rubbing down, I sometimes use a dremel abrasive buffing wheel. They do two grades. The coarse one is powerful enough to create some texturing of the surface, although that's another story.

Regards

Stephen

Thank's for the info Stephen will look into getting some acetone for degreasing,

Regards Rog

Hi Roger
You can also use a scotch brite pad and hot water with washing up liquid
to clean and degrease the alloy plates .
Let it dry naturally and then etch prime as Paul said.

Please note Acetone is a very toxic substance likely to cause cancer and should be used with extreme care.
We have been banned from using at work by the HSE.

Regards

Derek

Derek - a timely warning, thanks. I wasn't aware that H&S regarded acetone as toxic. I should have added that I use Boots nail varnish remover but hesitated because someone might ask what colour nail varnish I use. I tried stealing the remover from my other half but was firmly warned to get my own.

Stephen

Hi Stephen
It is a known carcinogen and gets it to the body by the skin absorbing it
or by the fumes.
I am shocked that nail varnish remover is still using it.
I was the Safety officer for the Physics department here at work for the last 7 years as well as the engineering roll that I have and its mad the stuff you learn doing that job.
I would take care with all paints and solvents we use and always use protection and a face mask when using these products.

Derek

Thats a bit scary about acetone. At the start of every ski season I inject about 100mls into my ski boot liners to soften the foam. Common practice with injection molded liners. Maybe I should stick with hard uncomfortable boots.

More useful information from the forum, thanks.

Hi Derek and all
Whilst all solvents must be treated with care, it looks as though Acetone is a solvent that might be construed as relatively safe. Indeed, acetone is a product of the bodies metabolism that occurs completely naturally.
A quick look on Google throws up many hits, this is just one:
http://www.frankmckinnon.com/acetone.htm
I hope that this will allay fears about your spouse's habit of applying this to their finger nails on a regular basis!
I for one, have a whole range of solvents ancient and modern, many of which are far,far more dangerous than acetone. It might be that I would be better to discard some of what I have, for something that is a lot safer, even though care still has to be taken over its use.
I once made the mistake on one hot summer day cleaning my Air Brush outside with cellulose thinners, I learnt then how doing something safer, being outside, was negated by the heat, which meant that I was exposed to far more vapour than I expected. A very salutary lesson, which has made me much more cautious.
So I am thinking about either acquiring nail polish remover, or some of its purer alternatives. But in the light of previous posts, before doing so, I will be taking a trip over the road to our local Chemist, to get some advice from the Pharmacist. I will report back tomorrow with what I have found out.
Steve

Hi

As an option instead of acetone an alternative is isopropanol, which is the alternative used where I work. The same precautions are required, gloves, face protection etc... as it is equally flammable

Regards

David

Brake and clutch cleaner also works.

Lee

Hi all,
Many thanks for the input of this post, think i will take Derek's advise and borrow the wife's scotch brite pad and fairy liquid to do the job
Regards Roger

Hi Roger,

If you go to a car paint supplier you will be able to get some 'Panel Wipe' which the car painters use to clean body panels prior to painting. It will come in 5L tins and is quite reasonably priced as well.

Regards,

Sarah

Hi Sarah
Will look into that many thank's
Regards Roger