OK, this is not the most intelligent thing to ask but here goes. I like aluminum spinners for functional reasons. But they would look a lot nicer in some applications if they were painted to match the plane. Every time I've tried to paint aluminum the paint falls off after a bit. Tried sanding and cleaning before painting. An electric starter could not be used. Anybody painting with success? If so what is your technique? I have the VQ LA-7 in need of a red spinner.

We use KlassKote paint and it is bulletproof! I have painted many aluminum spinners with it and used starters with no problem.

Try 'PROFEESIONAL" Rustoleum. Home Depot. I got this info from another guy.

Don't paint them. Powder coat them.

Something often neglected with aluminum is preparation.

Start by cleaning it with a good detergent. Get it CLEAN!

Next, clean the aluminum with a ScotchBrite pad and water, nothing else - no soap, detergent or anything - until you get a "water-break-free surface"

What this means is: when you completely wet it down, the water should coat the surface and not "Break" into droplets. It should just stay as a sheet of water over the entire surface (at least until there is so little water that it HAS to break up)

And whatever you do, don't touch it with your hands after it has been cleaned.

How do you powder coat?

Two "powder coating at home" links from a Google search:
http://www.alternatorparts.com/powde..._main_page.htm
http://www.eastwood.com/hotcoat-powder-coating.html
You'll spend a couple of hundred (minimum) to get started.

Powder coat shops are fairly common. Take it there and ask them how much they would charge. The guys I take my stuff to don't charge me anything, as long as I can wait until they shoot that color on a bigger job.

WOW! @@

After you've accomplished MinnFlyers prep (great verbal tutelage Minn), make sure you then shoot it with a self etching primer. Available at any local automotive store.

Tru-Turn will anodize them in quite a few colors.

First, you have to use an ectching primer, then you can paint over that.

Hi.
Do this all the time, and I first wash the spinner with "COMET" Cleaner. Yes, "COMET". The "COMET" etches the Aluminum and renders it ready for finish paint w/o any sanding, etc.
This really works well for any aluminum that you want to paint.
Try it, you'll like it.

KLASS KOTE epoxy paint work for me, 2 coats with paint brush. Sand spinner first. Darren from WI.

I painted one of my TT spinners 7 years ago with PPG OMNI PolyU paint (similar to Concept but 1/3 the cost). It has held up very well. Prep was simple sanding with 600 grit, cleaned with alcohol and sprayed. Nothing exotic at all.

I've not used the meat grinder much on it...just a few dozen times. I hand start mostly. It scratches very slightly when the meat grinder is used but is easy to repolish with Finnesse it