Trax540

My Feedback: (1)

I am in the process of finishing a landing gear, but Im not sure which direction to take for priming and painting.
Ive done a search for my answer with no difinitive yes or no. The entire gear is metal and I was told you cannot shoot butyrate onto metal it will peel.
Can I use a rattle can primer such as Krylon or Rustoleum and finish with a Butyrate Topcoat for fuel proofing? Or do I have to use a Butyrate primer.
I am using Brodak paints for color finish, so i hate to have to try and match another brand color to it.

Thanks much!

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

I would think a "self etching" type primer would work well...but I'm not sure if it will be effected by putting dope over the top of it?

jester_s1

You'll need something that the solvent won't attack, which rules out most enamels. I would expect butyrate to stick pretty well though if you scuff it well with a 400 grit or so.

CafeenMan

Any time I paint metal I bake the paint if I can. And by bake I mean put it in the over as soon as I'm done spraying while the paint is still wet.

I did that on an aluminum roll cage for a buggy painted with Rustoleum and no matter how many times I flipped the buggy on asphalt the paint stayed good.

It's been a long time since I've done it though and can't remember temperatures or times but I would guess 200 to 250 for 30 minutes to an hour. No primer was used.

I don't know what's going on besides the paint being harder. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the heat expands the metal and opens "pores" that allow the paint to grip better. Have no idea if that's happening though.

aspeed

To do aluminum properly it should be chromated. That is basically a cleaning, and etch, deoxidizer, and a chromate finish. It will stop the black smudge stuff on your fingers. Since it usually isn't available, Maybe a vinegar etch, or as had been said an etching primer that is compatible with the paint..