Which top coat on aluminium window frames

[neocleous]

Hi all,
I am going to paint some old aluminium window frames using Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus primer but I am unsure which top coat to use.

I would like a flat black finish as it would be if the windows were new. What's the best paint to use for this?

Thanks

 

[footprints]

I don't think you will get much matt black external paint but Blackfriar products are good, perhaps their satin might be worth trying.

http://www.blackfriar.co.uk/product/satin-black/

 

[neocleous]

Satin will be fine, being solvent based will it be ok over Zinsser Bulls Eye or is there a better primer to use?

 

[joe-90]

I've never found any paint that will stick to aluminium.

 

[neocleous]

I've never found any paint that will stick to aluminium.

Even when it's been primed?

 

[joe-90]

You'll need a specialist primer if there is such a thing.

 

[footprints]

International make a special metals primer
http://www.godfrey-diy.co.uk/metal-primers/special-metals-primer-250ml/item01059690.html
So do Hammerite.
http://www.hammerite.co.uk/guide/special_metals_primer.jsp

Both claim to be for Alli I am a big fan of Zinsser but I think they suggest it for aluminum that has gone chalky, not sure if it will work on smooth alli but it may well.
Just a note of caution to be honest I think painting old alli frames is one of those jobs you wish you had not started, a bit like tile paint, OK for long enough to get the house on the market but pretty dire a few years down the line.

 

[neocleous]

It's to give my takeaway a bit of a facelift, the current store front is a faded shade of brown, the interior is being re-tiled and modernised but I can't afford to change the store front when is why I wanted to paint it.

 

[footprints]

I should give it a go then, it will scratch if knocked or kicked by passers by but you can touch up pretty easily. What type of take away is it? Got me fancying one now!

 

[JohnD]

I believe aluminium for windows is anodised, dyed, and then lacqered, in which case your primer has to stick to the lacquer, not the metal.

 

[footprints]

I believe aluminium for windows is anodised, dyed, and then lacqered, in which case your primer has to stick to the lacquer, not the metal.

John has a point, anodizing is a thin coloured alli coating on plain alli best to very lightly abrade it I should think.

 

[footprints]

Might be worth looking into spraying it much nicer finish and quick drying in a dusty street environment.

 

[neocleous]

It's a Fish&Chip shop that does Chinese too. I thought about spraying but I've never used a sprayer before but I may well look into it.

 

[misterhelpful]

You've already found the best primer for the job with the 1-2-3 Plus. The Blackfriar Satin, mentioned by footprints, is also a good product to use as a topcoat, if that is the kind of finish you are after. It can be applied directly to the primer but black paint on top of a white primer can sometimes take a few coats to cover, so it may be worth using a dark grey undercoat even though the satin is self undercoating. (Also be sure to stir it thoroughly if you do use the Blackfriar version.) However, as has already been alluded to, aluminium isn't the nicest thing to paint and longevity isn't guaranteed, so be prepared for that.