painting aluminum

I've been working on my TEA 20(pictures to follow) and I'm now getting ready to paint. I don't know if all Ferguson's had aluminum transmission housings, but mine does. What do people here use to prime/prep aluminum?

Thank you for your time

Al
 
I have always used a zinc chromate primer before paint with one exception.
That would be an antique that is supposed to be a bare aluminum casting. In that case you get it very clean by whatever methods you like, the spray it with silver paint and quickly wipe it down lightly with a rag, leaving paint in all the pores and valleys. Keeps it looking nice and prevents corrosion
 

I don't know if they did it on tractors, but aluminum is usually etched a little to help paint to adhere. You can do it with a mild acid like vinegar or with oven cleaner. The oven cleaner will remove grease at the same time.
 
Avoid using harsh caustic cleaning compounds as they will attack aluminum and create smut on the surface. Mineral spirits followed with a mild detergent cleaner should suffice.

Once the surface is free of grease & oil, deoxidize the aluminum with an aluminum brightener / deoxidizer available at most automotive parts stores. This will assure the surface to be paintable and oxide free.

Prime with a chromated vinyl wash primer applied at dry film thickness of 0.2 mil dry to obtain the best adhesion & durability of your project.

Best luck to you!
 
(quoted from post at 14:10:49 05/05/15) Avoid using harsh caustic cleaning compounds as they will attack aluminum and create smut on the surface. Mineral spirits followed with a mild detergent cleaner should suffice.

Once the surface is free of grease & oil, deoxidize the aluminum with an aluminum brightener / deoxidizer available at most automotive parts stores. This will assure the surface to be paintable and oxide free.

Prime with a chromated vinyl wash primer applied at dry film thickness of 0.2 mil dry to obtain the best adhesion & durability of your project.

Best luck to you!

Smut??? Sir, this is a farm family forum!!
 
"Smut" ~ a common term used in the metal finishing industry. A good article here relative to the topic thread.

http://www.finishing.com/3000-3199/3124.shtml
 
I'll provide my non-professional opinion. Use 'Prep and etch' (phosphoric acid) to etch the aluminum. Available at your local big box hardware store. It's normally used to etch concrete.

Degrease the parts beforehand, apply it with a spray bottle a leave it on for about 10 minutes then rinse it completely off. It will dull the metals surface.

There is also a product specifically used to etch aluminum but I right off I don't recall the products name.

If it were me doing the work, I'd spray it with an automotive two part Epoxy afterwards followed up by a compatible paint.

Soaking with 'Prep and etch'

20527.jpg


Sprayed with a Direct To Metal paint (DTM)

20528.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 15:59:39 05/05/15) "Smut" ~ a common term used in the metal finishing industry. A good article here relative to the topic thread.

http://www.finishing.com/3000-3199/3124.shtml

The only reference to "smut" with respect to metal finishing that I could get to come up referred to rolling steel. It is so easy to "etch" aluminum with phosphoric and be confident that the paint will stick.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top