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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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How to paint spun Aluminum
Hello everyone,
I need help with how to paint spun aluminum. my husband is a comic book fanatic. we purchased this blank shield, made out of spun aluminum. (the movie replica for this item is over $600 so I'm trying to take a short cut) and I need to paint it to look like the "Captain America" shield, in the metallic red and blue. I have pictures of what I have, and then how I need it to look. Can anyone help with a step by step process on how to achieve the look I need?
Crafter - Naples, Florida
September 17, 2011
While not the best way, I would look for an etch primer for aluminum ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , then mask and spray paint, dry and remask and spray the final color. Use the lowest tack paint tape that you can find and remove it as soon as you finish that coat.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
September 20, 2011
According to some expired USA patents(USPT 4,054,466) 1% tanin solution can be used as conversion coating and for better paint adhesion.If you add at least 0,003% potassium titanium fluoride(or titanium fluoride) coating will be even better.Contact solution object 30sec.,pH 4(corrected with phosphoric acid),temp. 50 C.Aluminum must be oxide and grease free!Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Cerovski vrh Croatia
September 23, 2011
The look your husband will want to match the movie shield involves NOT priming the metal. The movie shield (as shown in your samples) has the bare metal in the center sta and second ring. The red and blue need to show the metal through the paint. The original prop is anodized aluminum. So you want to mimic that. There are several people in Prop making message boards completing a similar project as you. Go to www.rpf.com and search for captain america shield. The best paint match will be Duplicolor red and blue Anodizing paint in a spray can ⇨
Should be able to find it at Auto parts stores. Again, no primer.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
September 28, 2011
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