Painting on Aluminum?

[TheGreenMonkey]

First of all howdy, I really enjoy your articles and they are really helping me on latest Modding quest, a tribute to QuakeCon... Anyway, I intend to try and pull off a mirror finish of dark blue to match the quakecon logo, on a LianLi PC-65. Its Aluminum and I want to try to get this right the first time... What prep do I need to do since it is already a smooth metal surface?

[sprocket]

hmmmm..... Id just prime and paint but then again im no paitn expert.  or to be on the safe side take it over wit some 1000 grit sand paper to make sure theres absolutley no protective coating that could screw you up. Once again double check caus i aint no paint expert

[Rob]

Welcome to the boards.

I haven't done an aluminum case, but I know the Lian-Li's have a brushed finish, and are anodized.

Let me check with a real expert--my pal Geezer won some big prizes with his painted Lian-Li. I'll look up what he did or failing that ask him and get back to ya.

Welcome to the boards, and stay tuned...

[Rob]

Here's geezer's worklog thread on pheaton forums:
http://www.pheatonforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1208&hl=ghost+flames

Here's his prep routine, mentioned on the fourth page:

i used lye to help strip off the anodized surface for the pc60..did some light sanding too... i've bondo'd the air intakes (didn't like 'em) -

Sounds like lye is the ticket. I've heard of using oven cleaner, which contains lye.  I haven't done this, so I recommend doing a drive blank or something small before you spray your PC-65 with E-Z-Off 

Instead of jacking his pictures, here's a link to the directory they're in:
http://www.nexprime.com/mod/dragonbones/

okay, geezer buddy, forgive me, but I can't resist:


 

[TheGreenMonkey]

ok I will look into lye and test it first on little part, should I notice anything differnt when the anodize comes off?

[Rob]

If your anodized layer is dyed, then you sure will, but if it's clear, you may not notice a huge difference.

[Owen]

Prime, sand and paint. The sanding grit would depend on your paint, but 1000 should be fine. If you're using metallic, be careful of mottling/striping, you may want to mist on the first couple of coats...depends on what you're spraying with. Let each coat flash in between the next coat.

Owen

[GreyDeath]

Actually if your looking to paint an Anodized Surface, Do yourself a BIG Favor and Stay AWAY from LYE

i Do Anodizing as a Home Based Buisness, the problem With LYE is if not properly watched you Wind up with Holes in your Aluminum, or worseyet, your hands, you can loose your vision with the use of LYE as well

LYE is detrimental to the Aluminum it is applied too as well, most Proffesionals wont touch it due to its Caustic attributes

Now , there are several other methods to remove the anodizing
and are available over the counter, I Use to Use the
EZ-OFF Over Cleaner to remove the anodizing as it would strip the Anodizing and leave a lemon cent to the case afterwards, however trouble with this method is cleanup, and the hard part of Doing verticle surfaces

If this is your choice of methods the process is simple
get a tupperware container the Size of your project  put your item in the container and Spray away, Following the SAFTY methods Listed On the Can, Eye goggles,Rubber Gloves and safety Smock
let stand 10-15 Minutes and then remove and rinse, you Will see the Anodizing Litterally turn grey and rinse away

Now this method may need to be repeated ......and this method can damage the aluminum as well , BUT this is about an 1/8th of the Caustic level of LYE

Now the new Method that I Have found that Works great is this

I found a product called (GREASED LIGHTENING HOUSE HOLD CLEANER) comes in a gallon Jug and can be purchased for about $5 And is reuseable for this Purpose

All you do Is Submerge your product in it over Night remove and rinse  let dry and your Done
the best part Of this product is Simple there is No Chance Of It Harming the Aluminum Surface once the Anodizing Has been removed, as it only Seems to Harm the Anodizing layer Which is Pourous ...now It Will leave a grey film, that can be wiped away using a 3M red Scotch brite pad
the other attribute that this helps with is that it removes all residual Oils and fingerprints, which is great for paint applications later on