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Anodised Aluminium- Can it be painted?

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  • 24 Dec 2015 09:43
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    Reply # 3717201 on 3714288
    Anonymous member
    I have successfully painted an anodised mast using a water based, non toxic primer marketed by the Dutch firm Epifanes, called AQ Washprimer. The only preparation needed is degreasing and a rub down with Scotchbrite pads: an easy job. Subsequent coats of 2 pot polyurethane paint and varnish lasted well, but that was a Bermudian rig. I doubt whether it would withstand the chafe endemic aboard a junk.

    Roger Taylor painted Mingming ii's mast with epoxy coatings, but I don't know if it was anodised. It would be interesting to know how well that paint has withstood the rigours of his voyages to the far north.
  • 24 Dec 2015 02:21
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    Reply # 3716764 on 3714288
    Anonymous member

    The finish that can be achieved on anodised aluminium depends entirely on the amount of initial preparation. Many spun-tapered tubes are supplied with quite a rough brushed finish, which is quite acceptable for a mast that is going to have battens and sails rubbing against it all its life. A highly polished surface would be a bit of a waste. The as-extruded finish of the tubes used for battens is generally good, and will continue to look good when anodised.

    The adhesion of paint to anodised aluminium is poor, because the etch primer cannot eat through the smooth coating of oxide to provide a key. The first stage of preparation for painting is to strip off anodising and any other coatings. Also, the anodised surface is much harder than any paint, resists wear better and is self-repairing to a certain extent when damaged. 
  • 23 Dec 2015 23:57
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    Reply # 3716685 on 3714288
    Deleted user

    The point of it being anodized is to avoid painting. I have painted anodized aluminum before, with varying results. Unless you are concerned about the inside of the tube, I would just buy a bare tube instead. To paint the anodized tube, you have to sand it, apply self etching primer then paint. If you do this there really inst any appeal to pay the extra money on the anodisation to have to do extra work (sanding). Just my 2 pence sense. Maybe there is some sort of fancy marine multi part that won't require sanding, but I doubt it. Aluminum is a real pain to get paint to stick. If you don't do it right, all the paint will come off in a few short years all on its own accord.    
  • 22 Dec 2015 17:00
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    Message # 3714288
    Anonymous member

    Hello,

    Got a firm that can supply the aluminium anodised but the finish wont be great apparently.  Is it possible to paint over this finish?


    Any info would be gratefully received!

    Thanks Mark

    Last modified: 23 Dec 2015 19:30 | Anonymous member
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