Preparing Aluminum for Aircraft Painting

A short explanation/demonstration of preparing bare aluminum using acid and conversion coating techniques in preparation for painting an aircraft skin.

[ronjohnson]

I always used red scotchbrite when i acid etched, it works a lot better. Also used a folded rag to apply alodine. Former aircraft mechanic here.

[grunt]

Nice job! One thing to add. If you see a water break it is a sign of a dirty area. Rub again with the scotch bright and rinse again.

[perryberens]

Very helpful video. Good product info to use and steps to use them information. Reading comments. I think the word "instructional video" is useful. It was a demonstration of what to use and how to use it. The comments are common sense for anyone who works with chemicals. Sure he could have added three minutes explaining everything about chemicals from drinking to discard clothing (optional) however every product has warning and use instructions on the label. Always read the labels. Again thanks for the instructional video.

[jeffdemarcus]

Alumiprep isn't necssary. You can use a white scotchbrite pad and water to scrub the aluminum until water doesn't bead on the surface anymore. Then apply the alodine. The key is clean until water sheets not beads on the suface.

[joelgardner]

I’ve got a lot of aluminum to paint on my humvee and it’s brushguard and I’m going to check into these products. Thanks.

[bajarizo]

Thank you . For the video I had problems with painting a aluminum . I will try your technique

[willware]

Is there any environmental concern when you wash off these products? Do you need to “Capture” the run off? Thanks for the good video

[ginaashley]

Good information. Thank you. And I would agree with another post...hydrofluoric acid is rough on your hands....gets under your finger nails and eats the soft tissue.
Pump up sprayer perhaps?

[brax]

Exellent video. However, if pressed for time change the playback speed to 1.5x or perhaps 1.75x.

[mitty]

How do you remove the acid from inside of the fuselage? I cringed when I saw you brushing the first solution on as it seeps in to the cracks and crannies including the rudder exit holes and angle on the bottom of the fuselage. That little garden hose action surely did nothing to remove that acid from inside of the fuse.

[Mountianlions]

Scrub the new Ali with Deoxidine and nylon brush or scotchbrite until you have a water wet break free flow, dry the Alocrom 1200 starting from the bottom up, you're after a tea colour on the Ali, test the Alocrom for adhesion if all OK epoxy prime. Top coat within 24 hours or moisture is absorbed. That's what is was taught as a young military aircraft painter 36 years ago.

[rosewd]

Im not painting an aircraft, but a tailgate made of aluminum on a 2008 ford expedition. Ford improperly prepared these and paint pealed off. In patches.

After the alumiprep 33 and alodine 1201, is there any special primer that should be used? Such as a self etching primer? Should i use a sealer, like epoxy primer, after that ?

[paulmanhart]

Hi. Thanks for the info. I’m painting my old Southbend 10L lathe. It’s cast iron and I’m using an epoxy primer before the top coat. But some of the panels are aluminum. So I’m wondering what I need to do prior to the epoxy primer. Should I use both the products you mention? I’ve always heard that you should alodine an aluminum surface prior to painting, but what about the first product? Both are expensive and if I can use something like an acid I already have it would save me some money.
Your comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

[LTVoyager]

Thankfully, Stewart Systems has much friendlier water borne products available.

[svurskasvurska]

Just gonna say, you are playing fast and loose with hexavalent chromium. But, whatever...right?

[aqeelalmnsory]

Hi teacher
It's a very beautiful thing
thank you very much

[RockymountainRobert]

When I painted airplanes, we would clean the surface with a scotch Brite and lacquer thinner, then apply the acid, rinse, then the alodine.the after dry, prime.

[samsngdevice]

I am going to use this technique to refinish some designer aluminum patio furniture for a customer. I am a professional floor finisher doing hardwood, decks, garage floors, patio and driveways etc. If you have ever seen steel/iron outdoor furniture that rusts at the feet and constantly leaves rust spots on the ground, I have fixed this by cleaning with splash brand name metal prep (phosphoric acid based) from the home center (home depot paint dept) and then coating not with paint but with a specific commercial epoxy called seal krete HP 9100. Now on a job coming up its designer patio refinishing bit it isn't steel or iron, it's aluminum. I'll make a video and post a link when done.

[cspray]

Need window min/max information for application of next material
Then what material can adhere
Eg - 4 hours max, 72 hours max
Minimum - wait 30min
At what temp
Before applying primer or topcoat
Will an epoxy primer bite into it /adhere, then go with a finishing method from there of our choice

[jamesgrossmann]

Very much appreciate your videos... Wondering if you would do a video on the preparation of magnesium (as in wheels) for paint... Thanks!