Letter 3018

PAINTING ALUMINUM FOR OUTDOOR EXPOSURE

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I am building a saguaro cactus like sculpture using 1/8" aluminum fins which are approx 4" wide X 10 ft long. I need to find a way of painting the mill run aluminum black. What kind of preparation, primer and finish coat(s) should I use so that the paint will stay on in an outdoor environment for at least 25 years?

Any help you could provide would be most appreciated.

Stan Price

I am not exactly understand your phrase mill run black but I believe chromate conversion coating by any kind of application (brush, spray , or dip) will solve your problem. If you need more details please dont hasitate to ask Yehuda

Yehuda Blau
TAMBOUR ECOLOGY - HAIFA ISRAEL

I really doubt if black chromate would last 25 years, even in Arizona. Probably the best guess is a highly UV resistant powder coat paint. Black chrome plating is another option, but not many "black" shops have huge tanks.

James Watts
- FL

It really depends on what outside wear the aluminum will have. I use a variety of high-end urathane enamel car paints with the UV protectors built in, and I use a number of clear coats on bare metal as well. For blacking, you can also use a product from Birchwood Casey (Aluma Black) for blackening, and a clear over the top. This is all assuming that the scultpure would not have anything other than the normal wear of a car surface. I would be interested in what you decide on. Thanks, Tom

Tom Brumm
Blue Rock Studio - F.H., WA

I have a lawnmower type pulling tractor which I am repainting for a friend. It has an aluminum hood and grill. How do I prepare the surface so primer and paint will adhere to it?

Leo Fronczkiewicz
Motorcycle painting - Douglas, GA, USA

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