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Stripping, priming and then painting faded, chaulky aluminum

2004

I think I figured it out but would like the Finishing Communities advice.

First my situation:

I have a aluminum screened in porch that I decided to paint. I researched on the Internet and asked around and decided I should use a DTM paint. So I cleaned up my aluminum framing with soap and water and painted it. After the first rain the next day I noticed that the paint was bubbling all over. Water got between the paint and the aluminum and made big bubbles. I asked around and found out that I should have probably stripped it, acid primed it (with a phosphoric acid I guess) and then painted it. I used a 'Aircraft paint stripper' on a test area last night. The results I got were less than optimal. There was still way too much 'elbow grease' involved. So this morning I called the manufacture of the paint stripper and actually spoke to the owner. I wish I could drop manufacture names here because I was so impressed to be connected to the actual owners cell phone of a very well known product.

Ed. note: Rules are made for breaking, Steve. There are a host of good reasons why we prefer that brand names be avoided, but there may be times when the reasons for including them may be overwhelming.

He told me exactly what to do and gave me product names (big help for a weekender like myself). I should not second guess him but I don't ever want to do this again. So here is what he suggested and if you guys could comment on these and tell me your opinions it would be greatly appreciated:

1. Apply the aircraft grade paint stripper. Let set 15 minutes. If the applied area seems to get dry, apply some again. In other words, this product works best when its wet.

2. Dip a abrasive scrubber (like a BBQ scrubber pad) in a paint thinner and scrub the area. I guess any paint thinner will do. Any suggestions? I also guess that I should not scrub it hard.. but rather just enough to take of the paint.

3. He says that this should then basically wipe of with a cloth.

4. Let dry thoroughly.

5. Apply a phosphoric acid primer. Let dry thoroughly.

6. Paint with my choice of top coat exterior paint. Do I use any exterior paint or should I use a DTM type paint.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Steve

Steve Textor
Homeowner - Lake Worth, Florida, USA