Aluminum panel coatings

[Cleve]

Just received my MK4 kit a few weeks ago. I am thinking about painting some of my panels black as some other builders have done. My budget doesn't include powder coating these panels. I have looked on line for coatings for aluminum . I was interested in one product that seems to have a ceramic base of some sort. It may be a good product because it is out of stock. I am looking for a coating that has longevity as much as possible. Does anyone know of a good product for painting the panels?

[flyboyjy]

After scuffing up the panels I used a self etching primer then coated them with a ceramic chassis paint from Eastwood. I had it in spray can form and a gallon can to use in a spray gun. The spray can has a limited life time once you push the red button to mix in the catalyst but I found it went on easier than the spray gun. The spray gun even with larger tips tended to clog with the ceramic material and I had to constantly shake the cup to keep it from settling in the bottom. And it was pricey. But it so far has been holding up well. Then again a good can of Rustoleum might be just as good as long as the panels are prepped properly before.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Painted all my panels that faced weather with black rattle can Truck Bed Liner. Left inside panels natural. The Black has held up well since 2015. If it takes a hit a fresh spray will heal it.

[narly1]

My plan is to use Rhino liner on all the road facing surfaces, and either my home made version of Lizard skin or powdercoat for the other side depending on whether it's visible or not.

Here's a link to the home made Lizard skin part of my plan:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?43867-Lizardskin-ceramic-insulation-alternatives-including-home-brew&highlight=lizard+skin

Earl

[Jacob McCrea]

"a good can of Rustoleum might be just as good as long as the panels are prepped properly before."

That's the key - getting the aluminum properly prepared so that the paint actually sticks. There are some good discussions of the proper process on this message board, and also on aircraft builders' boards. If I had more time I would dig up those threads.

[Jeff Kleiner]

You need to clean the panels then hit them with self etching primer (UPOL makes a good rattle can product) before painting.

Jeff

[phileas_fogg]

I painted my panels with Rustoleum Hammer Tone Silver, and it's held up superbly for nearly a decade.

To prep, I roughed up the surfaces to be painted with 80 grit sandpaper, then wiped it down with acetone. Next I scrubbed the to be painted surfaces with PreKote (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/prekotesurface.php?clickkey=7243) and a red scotch brite pad according to the application instructions (if I recall correctly, you use a flood coat, rinse with water, then a second coat), rinsed the surface thoroughly with water from the hose, and let it air dry. PreKote is environmentally friendly enough that you can do all this in your back yard.

You will need 2 quarts of PreKote to prep all the aluminum.


John

[lewma]

I sanded mine then coated them with WD-40. Still look good almost 5 years on. About 75% are covered in carpet / insulation. Those ones were left untouched.

mark

[David_L]

If I were to do mine again, I would go with the powder coating or nothing at all.. I would bet that by the time you figure in the expenses it would be a wash. Not even adding in the labor.. lol

I got a quart of special pretreatment for the aluminum called PreKote, then etching primer then top coat ( I used Rustoleum Hammer black).

Herculiner bed liner for the exposed to road surfaces is some incredible stuff.. Trying to scrape it off after it cures is next to impossible!