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07/18/2011, 11:37 AM | #1 |
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Painting aluminum
Hey guys. I am working on my DIY LED project and came across this aluminum project box that I am planning on using as my housing. I am a wood guy so I have not done much in the way of metal finishing. I am planning on priming and painting with automotive paint. I want to fill in the seams where the box was folded. What should I use for this? Bondo or something like JB Weld? Does bondo and automotive primer bond to aluminum or should I be looking for something else? I want a high gloss black finish as the end result. Thanks.
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07/18/2011, 12:12 PM | #2 |
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JB weld would work, just fill and sand untill you get the desired finish, or you can use a tig welder capable of aluminum welding, but i doubt you have one. the paint would be fine
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07/18/2011, 12:14 PM | #3 |
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Filler will bond to that no problem. For something like that though I'd skip the bondo and use some poly glaze as there isn't much to fill, and you can put a skim coat over the entire exterior. Either route you go, be sure to put some tape on the inside of the little holes on the corners before trying to fill em - the tape will easily come off later.
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07/18/2011, 12:21 PM | #4 | ||
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07/18/2011, 12:41 PM | #5 | |
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You might try looking around locally if there are any automotive paint stores for the glaze. It's a 2-part so it'll come with a little tube of hardener. Just be sure to read the glaze for the ratio, it's not too hard to figure out but if anything error on the side of using too little hardener, and mix the glaze up in small batches so you don't end up wasting it because it starts to harden before you get to put in on the hood. |
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07/18/2011, 01:01 PM | #6 | |
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http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=540155_0_0_ Is there any advantage to using a glaze over regular bondo? |
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07/18/2011, 01:20 PM | #7 |
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I would recommend the Evercoat glaze that Kyuss posted.I have never used the Autozone product,but I have used the Evercoat glaze for many years and is a top notch product.Glaze is a thinner(less build), finer(sands easier) and will feather-edge better than a "Bondo-type" filler
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07/18/2011, 05:42 PM | #8 | |
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07/18/2011, 05:51 PM | #9 | |
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EDIT: On second thought, that may be why my fish tank lasted longer than my marriage.
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David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction... Last edited by disc1; 07/18/2011 at 05:52 PM. Reason: To save the OP's life. |
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07/18/2011, 06:05 PM | #10 | |
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EDIT: If money is tight on the project, this would be fine.. https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...006436269&An=0 And you'd need this hardener https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...006436368&An=0 Should run you about $15 total Last edited by Kyuss; 07/18/2011 at 06:34 PM. Reason: Added alternative |
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07/18/2011, 10:40 PM | #11 |
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if you where to use paint on the alum...you will need a special primer!!! normal auto primers are designed for steel bodies. Alum is a hole new tiger and has its own rules for body work and painting....i never tapped into it because i didnt want to buy the special primers!
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PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way |
07/18/2011, 11:53 PM | #12 |
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There's always anodizing too. Of course if you went that route you'd have to have it welded *if you wanted to hide those seems)
As a somewhat accomplished welder I would highly recommend against "learning" to TIG weld aluminum on anything you plan on as a finished product... the learning curve for aluminum is fairly high and it's very easy to destroy product
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07/19/2011, 01:29 AM | #13 | |
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07/21/2011, 06:23 PM | #14 | |
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likely going to want to use high temp gloss paint too... |
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07/21/2011, 06:27 PM | #15 |
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Sand it with 180 grit and fill with bondo, Make sure you use an etching primer. It actually bites into the metal. I work in a bodyshop and I've used that on raw metal for years. Galvanized is probably the only thing it won't stick to.
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07/22/2011, 03:59 PM | #16 | |
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PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way |
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