Painting aluminum chassis

[Terry Perdue]

Sorry for being a bit off-topic, but I'm sure someone here will have an answer, which could benefit a number of us homebrewers and restorers.

I've been having trouble getting satisfactory results with painting bare aluminum panels and chassis, and would appreciate advice on surface preparation, priming (if necessary), and specific products. Years ago when I lived in the midwest, I used to use a brand of paint that I found at a department store chain there (don't recall the brand), and had perfect results every time. Surface prep involved roughing up with sandpaper, and washing with soap and water. There was a gray primer, which I followed with the final coat. I remember putting the piece in the oven at lowest temp to bake the paint on, but the instructions didn't say to, and it probably wasn't necessary. The paint job was always beautiful, and very durable.

That was many years ago, and I don't live in the midwest anymore. Lately, I can't seem to get anything to stick well enough that I can't easily scrape it off with my fingernail after it's dry. I've tried several brands, and even tried a zinc chromate primer spray, only to find that even it doesn't adhere.

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? Just before starting this post, I tried a can of black 'stove and barbeque' paint that I happened to have. It's just been a few minutes, and It's already dry and sticking fine. It's too dull a black, but scratching with my fingernail just makes a shiny mark - at least it doesn't come scrape off. Can I assume this would be a good primer then?

I know there are lots of homebrewers on this reflector, and someone must know how to get a good paint job.

Thanks for any help.

Terry Perdue

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