Painting Aluminum Visors

[Ed Griffin]

I've noticed in several past posted pictures, including mine, that many folks Fulton or ... outside sun visors have a tendency to problems with the paint staying on. I assume it's due to previous owners painting them with a regular primer. From what I understand or have read, aluminum is supposed to be primed with zinc chromate (the light green color on the bottom side as on airplanes) before being painted. Not sure thats exactly the way it is pronounced. Those who are familier with painting aluminum please chime in if you know this to be true or not or if you know of another primer that works with aluminum.

If this is true is anyone familier with a rattle can primer made with this formula or is it strictly a paint store/ spray gun item?

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

I just used regular rattle can primer and paint on my Fulton. Had it on the car for about 9 years before I took it off and it never peeled. Really didn't do any special prep work. Just stripped it down to bare metal by sanding it. I applied the primer, lightly sanded again, then put the finish paint on. I think the key is taking it all the way down to bare metal before painting it. Then buffed it out with rubbing compound by hand. Just like repainting a car. To do a really good lasting job it should be taken all the way to bare metal before painting. That way, there is no old paint under the new paint to cause peeling.

[Suddensix]

Zinc chromate primer is what should be used on aluminum as a base coat. It is readily available in rattle cans at Canadian Tire in the Great White North so it should be easy to find in the U.S. It is yellow in colour up here.

[Normspeed]

You can also get zinc chromate primer at boating supply places like West Marine. It's used on outboards and outdrives.

[Plymouthy Adams]

We lost zinc chromate sprays in cans back in the late 80's as it is a carsogin. We did get a couple of prducts out there thate are know as Zinc Pure and Zinc Rich or something like that..it is not like the old stuff for sure. Following link may be of help to you....

http://www.finishing.com/0600-0799/702.shtml

[BobT-47P15]

Had to read the heading twice. At first, I wondered why he was spraying "visitors".

[RHDSP15C]

Painting aluminum is not that simple if you want the paint to stay stuck on the job. Any white rust must be killed by using a solution of phosphoric acid and very mild abrasive. Then it is necessary to treat the surface with alodine otherwise nothing will stick permanently. Alodine is supposed to be highly toxic,

I used it for years before I found out - just don't get it in your mouth. Next spray with yellow chromate (obtainable from airplane part suppliers in rattle cans), they also have green or khaki chromate but this gives a coarser finish.

After those steps you can pretty well apply what you want.

[250440ND]

With the proper prep Dupont has a metal etch primer in a spray can at your auto paint stores. works well.

[Ed Griffin]

I appreciate everyones help. I think by what I've read I have it figured out. Thank you. Ed