Adrian Smith 1 Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I have just purchased a so called ARF Wild Hare 28% Edge 540T for my OS 60GT gasser. However, the kit seems quite old (2005 vintage if the packing slip in correct) and the U/C legs are unfinished and look rather "agricultural". So as not to spoil the look of the plane I thought I would paint the U/C with proprietary fuel proof paint to match the covering. Do I use an etching primer first on the metal or should I use something else as a base coat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Stratton Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I've always been told to use etch primer on bare aluminium so that would be the way I would go. Some people will say they've had no problems painting straight onto ali! Will be interesting to see what other advice comes forth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 Hmmm… you're right Glenn. I must admit never thought paint onto bare metal would work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levanter Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Zinc chromate etch primer was always the traditional but I have a feeling it is hard to come by due to it not being very nice stuff. Nowadays when we are painting aluminium structures in the shipbuilding industry we use solvent based epoxy primers. It is most important that the surface is mechanically abraded (ideally shortly before priming) and of course the surface must be completely de-greased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I abrade the surface with fine emery, clean thoroughly with solvent / alcohol and then use a purpose made metal primer spray... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hi Adrian, t's all in the prep. It always is when youre painting Rub down with wet and dry used dry. Then etch primer. Finally, your top coats. Do you really need to do this? It will chip anyway. Your undercarriage flexes so much that.its inevitable. Unless, of course all your landings are greasers ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masher Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I did this with standard Halfords primer and gloss. Keyed first with fine sand paper and then primed and finished. Very durable, no chips or cracks BUT............... the fuel reacted with the paint and the red gloss became sticky! So if you have genuine fuel proof paint (please let me know!) I would just use ordinary primer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Jones Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Abrade the surface lightly with fine Wet 'n Dry, give it a good wipe with solvent to clean any residual oils off and then paint with etch primer before your top coat. I get mine from Halfords - **LINK** Be aware that only the larger stores have it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prop Nut Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I cleaned mine up with fine wet and dry then used Plastikote aerosol metal primer, from B&Q, followed by their white aerosol paint. That was about five years ago and it hasn't needed repainting yet. Edited By Prop Nut on 16/04/2014 08:40:06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 All good advice guys thanks. Ernie, it's just a finishing look think. And no all my landings aren't greasers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 with alloy motorcycle parts I used Hammerite non-ferrous primer, but they generally didn't flex as much as u/c legs do- well, not if the bike stayed on the road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 You could cover the legs with heat shrink tubing-if you could find some of the correct size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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