Re: Paint, again

"Matt O'Toole" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "Werehatrack" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> > As always, bear in mind before removing the old paint that it
is very
> > difficult to get paint to stick to aluminum; professional
shops
> > typically use paints that are not practical to obtain in
small
> > quantities, and they use equipment, preparation methods and
other
> > materials that are not available to the average amateur.
Unless there
> > is some compelling reason to remove the old paint, your best
bet is to
> > leave it there and paint over it if you must change the color
of the
> > frame.  In my experience, the chances of getting a durable
homebrew
> > paint job on bare aluminum are slightly worse than the
chances of
> > avoiding a puncture when crossing a patch of goat heads.
>
>
> Your chances of getting a *durable* finish are actually pretty
good, if you use
> the right products, and follow directions.  Sailboat spars I
stripped and
> painted 20 years ago still look great.  You can go to West
Marine and get all
> the stuff you need, in small quantities, and it will "stick to
aluminum"
> wonderfully.  But by the time you buy all the stripper, prep
solution, primer,
> paint, thinner, and everything else you need, you'll have spent
*at least* $50.
> And the finish will not be as even as one applied by a
professional painter, who
> is well-practiced with a spray gun.  After all that money and
effort, your
> finish will probably look pretty sad.  It's well worth it to
spend another
> $50-100 for someone else to do it right, and to avoid the
considerable labor and
> mess.  Not to mention avoiding the environmental sins you'll
commit by disposing
> of a pile of stripped paint goo.  A pro painter is (hopefully)
equipped to deal
> with this too.

It can be even more expensive if you go with one of the
multi-part or multi-coat (base/pigment/clear) auto paints.  And
you will end up with tons of left overs.  It only pays if you
have to paint an entire fleet.

With that said, I think I will paint my own frame.  Does anyone
know of a good OTC paint? -- Jay Beattie.