Working with aluminium

Read the forum code of contact

Member for

13 years 8 months

Posts: 126

When working with aluminium I understand it should be primed as soon as possible. Original parts have a yellowish primer on them, can this be bought in the UK? I've seen it on eBay in the US:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170798885176?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I want to keep original with the work I do rather than opting for red oxide.

Thanks

Dom

Original post

Member for

11 years 9 months

Posts: 599

You can purchase zinc chromate primer in yellow from light aero supplies at £4.99 a can

Member for

13 years 2 months

Posts: 865

red oxides ok as a protective measure but is generaly rubbish to paint over as the top coat sinks into it quite readily.. warm the ally up if you can before painting it as it has a great ability to attract damp and moisture. the primer/paint will cure quicker also.

Member for

17 years 5 months

Posts: 8,980

You can use green or yellow primer, but the can stuff is crap if you are painting over it as it bleeds through, I actually stick a coat of Halfords grey primer over the top to seal it, scotch brite the surface first to give it something to key too.

You can buy the rattle can stuff here

http://www.lasaero.com/site/products/article?id=G03H0GVF9

Member for

18 years 10 months

Posts: 4,796

You could use Dupont Vari-Prime which is a mustard coloured acid etch (which is why it's also known as "Yellow Death" among those who have used it). Most people use epoxy primer these days which can be mined any colour you like. It has the advantage of sticking like **** to a blanket & everything also sticks to it. On Boeing airliners it's usually lime green.

Member for

13 years 8 months

Posts: 126

Thanks all for the info, it gives me enough to go and try out as well. I'm needing this for the restoration of the 1951 control pedestal for my Beech SNB-5.

Thanks again,

Dom

Member for

18 years 2 months

Posts: 460

Alachrome 1200 then primer was the usual with us

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 919

Alochrom is still available from LAS, followed by a decent regular primer....

Member for

12 years 6 months

Posts: 322

The Alocrom 1200 is what I use too thought the "inhalation causes cancer" warning is always a little nerve wracking.

Member for

13 years 6 months

Posts: 491

I thought "yellow death" was the affectionate term for strontium chromate, the H&S sheet for which does slightly put one off from using it, which is a shame as I've got a couple of gallons (imp) of the stuff!

Member for

12 years 6 months

Posts: 322

I have a large stainless dipping tank in a seperate shed and use a chemical grade full face mask when dipping, incidentally the same mask used when I decant 1000litres of methanol from the plastic to stainless IBC's when we make biodiesel. You can get all the protective gear at reasonable cost, I would not recommend using it without it.

Member for

17 years 11 months

Posts: 2,605

Scotchbrite,wax and grease remover then light etch prime.Going off memory Spits were grey primed.Breathing protection is a must :)