painting aluminum t-top

Kracker Jack

Kracker Jack

God
Anybody have any ideas on painting my t-top? alumaprep 33, alomine, then epoxy primer then top coat? self etching primer and then top coat with awgrip? I have researched alot of ideas and would like some ideas from you guys. Thanks
 
Kracker Jack said:
Anybody have any ideas on painting my t-top? alumaprep 33, alomine, then epoxy primer then top coat? self etching primer and then top coat with awgrip? I have researched alot of ideas and would like some ideas from you guys. Thanks
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Some of the guys covered that when we were talkin' about it the other day...can you get back to that thread??...seems finish w/epoxy for hardest surface would be good thing...
 
As previously suggested, two (2) coats of zinc chromate primer followed by whatever type of paint you want would be the traditional do it yourself proceedure for aluminum... however, while in Harbor Freight the other day, I noticed that they sell powder coat paint in several colors. That got me to thinking....if you know someone that can do powder coating, I would highly suggest that approach since, with the possible exception of epoxy based paints, after it's baked powder coating leaves a better, harder, more durable
coat than any traditional paint.
 
Lets say I used a Moeller or Tempo green zinc cromate, Is my epoxy finish coat compatible? Whats the the best zinc cromate to use? Airplane Plane Spruce has some decent zinc cromates.
 
Kracker Jack said:
Lets say I used a Moeller or Tempo green zinc cromate, Is my epoxy finish coat compatible? Whats the the best zinc cromate to use? Airplane Plane Spruce has some decent zinc cromates.
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Long and the short of it.... Yes, you can paint epoxy paint over a pure Zinc Cromate primer. If you want the best, check out the inorganic zinc or zinc chromate type coatings such as Dimetcoat from Ameron/PPG. These behave like galvanizing so if the coating is ever chipped, the surrounding paint will protect the bare area. Just remember the zinc paints don't hold a top coat as well as the epoxies so there is an increased chance of the topcoat flaking. However, you can also purchase epoxy based zinc cromate primers (Sherman-Williams GBP) that hold the topcoat very nicely. Then just finish with the epoxy topcoat of your choice.
 
When I used to work for he Cruisers Dealer, the radar arches on the express boats came painted, Badger Metals in Michigan made them and painted them. The first ones came with Awlgrip, but they changed to PPG later as PPG offered them a better warranty on the paint. Down load the AWlgrip paint manual, it will tell you step by step the proper procedure and prep to paint aluminum. Use a quality paint. IF you use awlcraft 2000 or similar polyurethane, it will be easier to touch up than Awlgrip. Cruisers and Sea Ray both tried powder coat but found paint last longer and holds up better, but paint takes longer to do and cost more from their point
 
I would personally like to stick with same product line to do all my topcoating with. Im using Interlux paint. So i guess i would by by there epoxy aluminum primer? I will call then and ask.
 
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