Types of primers for aluminum and the 4 largest brands, rules of application and errors
All metal surfaces should be primed before painting, and aluminum products are no exception. If this recommendation is not followed, the finish will not adhere and the surface will quickly lose its attractive appearance. Aluminum primers differ in composition and properties. This helps in choosing the best option based on goals and objectives.
What primer is suitable for aluminum
Painting aluminum surfaces is considered a daunting task. If the technology is violated, the paint and varnish material will not last long and will peel off quickly enough. The following are believed to be the cause of the issues:
- Surface tension. This is what makes the surface slippery and slightly greasy. These characteristics cause adhesion deterioration.
- The presence of an oxide film. The oxygen in the air and the metal quickly come into contact. As a result, an oxide film appears on its surface.It has a heterogeneous structure and does not adhere well to other substances. In this case, paints and varnishes are no exception.
- Smooth texture. This effect is provided by the crystal lattice structure of aluminum. As a result, the paint particles simply have nothing to cling to.
To effectively paint aluminum surfaces, it is important to consider these characteristics and use primer mixtures. Substances for aluminum have a unique composition. This is why they have become widespread. In this case, the active components of the primer may be different - it all depends on its type.
Varieties of formulations and selection recommendations
There are many primers on the market today for application to aluminum surfaces. They differ significantly in their composition and properties.
Aerosol primer
This material is sold in cans. The spray can be easily applied to bicycle frames or rims. It is often used at home. Before buying a composition, it is important to familiarize yourself with the expiration date. It is also recommended to pay attention to the presence of zinc in the mixture. The bottle should also be labeled “Primer for Aluminium” or “Alu Primer”.
It is recommended that this material be applied to a carefully prepared surface. In this case, the products must be well sanded until a characteristic gloss appears. Sandpaper can be used for this purpose. Removing stains with a degreasing agent is also important.
Two-component primer
This product is recommended for use on large surfaces - for example, for application to the body of a car. Before use, the composition must be mixed in a special plastic container.
Its main advantage is considered resistance to chemically active elements, first of all, acids.
The prepared two-component solution should be used 30 minutes after mixing the ingredients. This is best done with a pneumatic spray gun. However, it is permissible to use an ordinary foam roller.
acid soil
The main ingredient of the product is phosphoric acid, which forms an insoluble film on the surface. This coating adheres firmly to the metal. The main properties of an acid primer are:
- high resistance to the influence of salt and water;
- increased wear resistance;
- the ability to penetrate metal, which helps to increase the degree of adhesion;
- high resistance to the influence of chemical elements.
Acid soil has 2 main varieties:
- One component primer formulation - no activator or catalyst required.
- Two-component primer - it is recommended to add a hardener to the composition. Its functions can be performed by phosphoric acid. When mixed, such an additive begins to react with pigments and other substances, which leads to the release of thermal energy.
heat resistant
The use of this substance allows to obtain the following results:
- increase the adhesion of paint on an aluminum surface;
- prevent the formation of an oxide film on the metal;
- reduce the cost of varnish or stain by reducing the absorption of these materials;
- to create a dense and durable protective layer, characterized by high resistance to the effects of temperature.
Perchlorovinyl
For the final coating, it is allowed to use enamels marked XB-16 and XB-124. These substances are produced in the form of a suspension, which contains pigments resistant to ultraviolet rays.These substances are dissolved in glyphthalic and perchlorovinyl resin. This coating has a number of important characteristics:
- after drying, the coating looks like polyvinyl chloride;
- the substance, after drying, forms a coating that is resistant to prolonged contact with water and high humidity;
- the material can come into contact with an aggressive environment - it is resistant to acids and alkalis.
Most Popular Aluminum Primer Brands
Many brands of aluminum primers are available today. Each of the products has certain advantages and disadvantages.
VL-02
This composition is made according to GOST. It is a two-component mixture containing diluents. Other ingredients can be used to make the base:
- Acidic components that dissolve the coating - most often used are hydroalcoholic compositions with the addition of phosphoric acid.
- Polyvinyl butyral - is formed by the interaction of oily aldehydes with polyvinyl alcohol. This component improves adhesion on non-ferrous metals. Thanks to its use, the resistance to mechanical factors is significantly increased.
- High concentration zinc crown is a yellow pigmented substance that has corrosion protection.
The advantages of VL-02 primer are:
- compatibility with most paints and varnishes;
- short drying period;
- the possibility of using for different metals;
- the possibility of using the coating in the open air and indoors.
The disadvantages of the material include:
- high price;
- Strong smell.
VL-08
After coating, a greenish-yellow film appears on the surface. It retains its properties for at least six months.To achieve a stable effect, the composition should be applied in at least 2 layers.With its help, it is possible to obtain a semi-matte glazing coating, which is considered an elastic type of protection.
The advantages of the material are:
- high wear resistance;
- resistance to moisture and salts;
- excellent protection against the influence of external factors;
- high degree of heat resistance;
- rapid hardening;
- resistance to the effects of petroleum products.
The substance also has several disadvantages:
- flammability;
- toxic composition.
GF-031
This glyphthal material has excellent protective properties. It can be used to treat structures that operate under high temperature conditions. In order for the mixture to give the desired effect, all components must be thoroughly mixed until smooth. To apply the substance, it is allowed to use a brush or a pneumatic sprayer.
The advantages of the material are:
- The optimal ratio between price and quality;
- metal protection from external factors;
- resistance to a wide range of temperatures;
- abrasion resistance;
- high adhesion to alkyd paints and varnishes.
The disadvantages of hedging are:
- strong smell;
- long drying time.
EP-51
This substance is available in the form of an enamel, which is excellent for painting primed metal products, including aluminum surfaces. The suspension must be well mixed before application in order to completely remove the sediment. It is important to level, clean and dry the coating before using the substance.
The main advantages of the material are:
- high protective properties;
- uniform application;
- high drying speed.
In addition, the composition also has disadvantages:
- high price;
- Strong smell.
Advantages and disadvantages of using
The use of special primers for aluminum gives excellent results. The advantages of such formulations are:
- Strong adhesion of paint and varnish to the surface. The use of a primer improves the adhesion of the paint to the product.
- Prevention of defects. If the surface is immediately primed, frequent repairs will be avoided.
- Wide range of. Today there are many primer mixtures on sale that differ in composition and properties.
- Variety of shades. This greatly facilitates the additional coloring process. Choosing the right primer color helps reduce the cost of painting the surface.
- Masking of defects and scratches. A colored primer, which matches the color of the paint, helps achieve this effect.
- Surface protection against corrosion and fungi.
- Surface leveling. Primed products acquire a more uniform texture.
- Safe composition of certain species. Before buying a primer, you should carefully read the list of ingredients included in it.
- Win time. Most modern mixes are sold ready-to-use. In addition, they dry quickly after application.
- Moisture protection.
- The low cost of some varieties.
- Ease of application.
At the same time, the compositions have some drawbacks:
- transparent structure;
- risk of heterogeneity of the coating;
- stain risk.
Applying a primer to an aluminum surface
It is allowed to apply the primer before different types of paints. In this case, it is important to prepare the surface well before painting the coating.
Material calculation calculator
Soil costs are directly determined by surface texture and type of mix.Thick primers shed faster than liquid materials that can be applied by spraying.
It is important to take into account that the average consumption differs depending on the type of composition. Sometimes the primer must be applied in several layers. This also affects the throughput parameters.Experts advise to multiply the costs indicated on the package by 1.15.
Tools needed for work
When choosing a suitable primer for processing aluminum surfaces, all its features should be taken into account. In this case, it is important to choose the right tools. For this purpose, it is permitted to use the following elements:
- Spray Gun - This device should be used for painting large metal surfaces. The device is considered indispensable for painting large aluminum objects.
- Roller - this tool can be used for all types of primer.
- Brush - it is undesirable to use it as an independent tool. This significantly increases material costs. It is best to apply a brush to hard-to-reach areas.
Many formulations are now sold in aerosol cans. The aerosol primer is easy to apply, as it does not need additional tools to work.
Surface preparation
After selecting the applicator, it is necessary to prepare the aluminum surface. To do this, it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- Clean the surface of dirt, deposits, old paint. To do this, you can use sandpaper or a grinder. A wire brush is also a great option. In industrial conditions, metal structures are cleaned with a sandblaster.
- Removes scale by heat treatment.This can be done with a gas and oxygen burner.
- Degrease the metallic product with a solvent. This is done after removing dirt and plaque.
At the next stage of preparation, the work surface must be dried. It is recommended to use airflow for this. It can be dispensed using a special compressor or gun. An additional drying device can be a building hair dryer.
Primer application
To ensure that the primer adheres well to the aluminum surface, there are a number of recommendations to consider. To begin with, the material must be prepared. This will need to be taken care of before starting work. Then it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- Acid and degrease the surface. This completely gets rid of the oxide film.
- Apply a layer for the conversion. This helps to improve the adhesion between the stain and the materials used for the treatment.
- Remove salt residue. In this case, it is important to use quality water.
- Dry the surface.
- Apply the aerosol. It will take 1 day to dry.
Drying time
The drying time of the coating depends on the type of material. On average, it takes from 20 minutes to 12 hours. However, some types of coatings are recommended to dry within 24 hours.
Errors when working with the material
The main problem with the coloring of aluminum is considered to be its excessive softness. The fact is that complex structures with roughness help to increase grip. This improves the quality of dye application. However, for an aluminum surface, these characteristics are totally unusual.
To avoid problems, it is recommended to do the following:
- perform rough grinding - this can be done manually or using a grinder;
- carry out acid etching - this is possible due to the lack of resistance of aluminum to the influence of aggressive factors.
In this respect, aluminum occupies an advantageous position. For example, the seed steel causes various problems. This material is considered very durable, as it does not lend itself to rough grinding. In addition, steel is resistant to acid attack.
Recommendations from the masters
To apply a primer to aluminum surfaces to achieve the desired results, it is recommended to adhere to the basic tips of the masters:
- You should not buy poor quality primer compounds. In order to purchase a suitable product, it is important to analyze all the properties of the metal in detail.
- Sometimes a moisture proof coating layer may be required to improve adhesion. Most often, such a need arises in the case of the use of a frost-resistant composition, which is used to process objects located on the street.
- Observe the temperature regime. Regardless of the composition of the selected soil, it should be applied at temperatures from -10 to +27 degrees.
- Perform all work using protective equipment. This will require goggles, gloves and a respirator. It is especially important to use protective equipment when applying the spray primer.
- Comply with the conditions of use of the primer. Do not use the mixture after its expiry date.
The use of an aluminum primer improves adhesion on paints and varnishes. In this case, it is important to choose the right composition and strictly follow the instructions for its application.