Painting Aluminum

2234 Views 4 Replies 2 Participants Last post by dozen, Apr 10, 2009

dozen

Discussion Starter · Apr 8, 2009

Hey guys! This is so off-topic that it's not even about a boat, it's about a bike, but I think you guys might have the answers I need since there seems to be a lot of knowledge in this forum regarding painting outdoors sports stuff...

So I'm buying a $400 bike frame that is aluminum (pictures and info here) and I want to paint it, but I understand aluminum is super difficult to paint correctly. I thought about bead-blasting it myself (I have access) and then having it powdercoated, but that will cost me $100-150 more and I just can't afford that.

What would you guys advise for prep, prime & paint? I want it to be flat black or at most semi-gloss, and while I want it to look great, I'm not above doing a nice, careful but cheap rattlecan job. My main concern is the prep and priming so i don't have it flaking off the next day

Also, let me add that I have little to no knowledge of painting and priming other than interior walls, so if you can please be specific and provide links. thanks SO MUCH in advance! how did people find this stuff out before forums?!?!

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slickshift

· #2 · Apr 8, 2009

If it's a keeper, then BB and PC it
Save and wait if need be, it's well worth it
Other than that, it's a rattle-can job
I'd recommend Rustoleum's new Universal
It sticks well and seems to be great for bikes
(and being 1/4 mile from the Cape Cod Rail Trail, basically Downtown Bikeville, I'm not just blowing smoke on this one)

If you truly loath the spray bomb, you could brush on some Metal and Wood Enamel
But IMO, you would not be better off than with the Universal
(...and I'm really not a Rustoleum fan per say, but this new stuff is really good and would be a good choice for this app)

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slickshift

· #4 · Apr 9, 2009

On alum. pretty much yeah
I haven't used it on bb'd alum myself
But again, word out here is "it doesn't suck" for your app

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