If you need to touch up failing paint on anodized aluminum, there is a critical issue to understand before you rush into the process. Metallic surfaces are smooth and nonporous. This makes them ill-suited for paint adhesion. Although anodized aluminum is rougher than ordinary aluminum, it may still reject new finishes unless it is pre-treated with an acidic primer. If the paint on your anodized aluminum is failing, it probably wasn't properly applied.
Instructions
1. Remove as much flaking paint as possible from exterior anodized aluminum, using a pressure washer with a low-pressure tip. Wait two to three hours for the anodized aluminum surface to dry. Skip this step if the surface is indoors.
2. Scrape off remaining bits of flaking paint using a putty knife.
3. Smooth the rough edges of chipping paint using low-grit sandpaper.
4. Place a drop cloth beneath the anodized aluminum.
5. Coat exposed areas of bare anodized aluminum with galvanized-metal self-etching primer, using a 2- to 3-inch latex paintbrush. Wait four hours for the self-etching primer to dry.
6. Wash the brush with water.
7. Apply touch-up paint to the anodized aluminum, using the clean paintbrush. Wait two hours. Add more paint if the self-etching primer bleeds through.
Tags: anodized aluminum, anodized aluminum, self-etching primer, aluminum using, anodized aluminum using
