Spray Painting Aluminium

[EvilNeverDies]

just got a lian li V2010B
and I want it white
now I don't have the money for powdercoating/anodising
can I just spray paint it like any other metal?

[SXRguyinMA]

sure can (pun intended :D) Its all in the prep though. Make sure you thoroughly clean the surface, then use a good quality primer, with the recommended application/coats.drying times. Then repeat with the paint, then wet sand and clear if you so desire. Make sure you dont leave and grease or oils (even fingerprints) on the bare metal. Use a quality tack-cloth to clean it just before you spray :up:

[EvilNeverDies]

Right thanks
I think it may have been anodised black so would I have to sand through that?
or just sand it a little to give it some bite?

[SXRguyinMA]

you may be ok with just a light sanding on the annodizing, but I'm not sure. :think:

[Datech]

I'm pretty sure the POS case I used for Passion was anodized, and light dry sanding worked just fine.

I went to Advance Auto Parts and got their car primer and paint, and it worked well after a few coats of each. They have a lot of primer choices, and I used the Scratch Filler and Primer can since my case was so scuffed in some cases. This is, of course, the easy and cheap alternative to the real work SXR wants you to do.

[SXRguyinMA]

I'm just used to doing it so it comes out perfect. If you're not all too worried about a perfect finish, there are easier ways.

my bike looked like the one on the left in this pic, but I turned it into the red and black beast you see on the right.
http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/normal_IMG_0104.JPG (http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/IMG_0104.JPG)

and mines on the left here, obviously :D
http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/normal_IMG_0105.JPG (http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/IMG_0105.JPG)

although it was ABS plastic, not aluminum, same basic principles apply

[crazybillybob]

Anodizing makes the surface Aluminum hard. So you'll need to scuff the surface good (pay attention to the edges, curves, and ends). If you can get it Aluma-prep works great (it's metal etch prep sold at automotive store... Advanced, auto zone) It bits into the surface of the aluminum just a bit, give the paint some thing to hold on to but will allow you to get a mirror finish (with less sanding).
After you scuff and clean the surface (once with a degrease, once with acetone, or denatured alcohol). Lay down a nice etching primer (dupli-Color, Rustoleum have good primers) look for the Auto, or bare metal formulas (or if it says etching). Once that's done, paint and wet sand like normal.... (there are a bunch of good tuts on this site about painting methods read a couple before you start!)

Good Luck and let see what your working on!

CrazyBillyBob


PS: remember 70% of a good paint job is great prep work!! the better the prep the easier it is to lay down a great paint job.... even with Rattle cans!

[haha49]

Sand... Prime... Paint.. thats it.. just use metal spray paint if you are worried about the way it will come out try it on something else befor just dont use spray paint on strofoam it melts