What is a good primer for aluminum?

Mike
I have used Dupli color engine enamel primer and paint for all my bikes, it only comes in a few colors but is very resistant to gas and oil if you let it cure according to directions. Hope that is some help.
 
Surface preparation is often far more an issue then which primer, while usually you'd use an etching primer for a material like aluminum - a light frosting with a fine abrasive then decontamination with denatured alcohol (caution, extremely flammable) & a terrycloth rag enables any basic metal primer to adhere well. There's a plethora of products made specifically for painting aluminum, yet with attentive surface prep I've used nothing fancier then Rustoleum sandable primer on aluminum with great success.
 
Ditto on both counts except I found DupliColor clear is not very gasoline compatible. I use their color coats almost exclusively but TopFlite model airplane clear to protect the colors.
 
Zinc Chromate primer is what I used back in the 60's when I worked at Nordskog making airplane galleys. I see it's still available and recommended for aluminum.
 
runnermike said:
What is a good primer for an aluminum frame? Specifically the Grubee Skyhawk frame?
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As a side note, whatever primer you use has to be compatible with whatever top coat color you use.
You don't want to waste time and money then the top coat acts up and does not like the primer.
 
I've been using Potassium chromide for aluminium primer mate....it's hard to find these days.......
 
I wonder if powder coating might work. The frame is sandblasted first. A good mechanical foot and sealed from moisture it should work. I think it is polyurethane but may be wrong.
 
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