Paint recommendations...?

Fast Eddie

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Chaps,

I’m looking to paint some alloy components in satin black. I want a thin but tough coat and was hoping to use a ‘one coat’ type paint that requires no primer or undercoat. It’s not engine cases, so no need to be heat proof. Also not really practical to heat the parts to cure the paint either.

So, any personal recommendations for an air drying, tough, one coat, satin black, rattle can paint, that will adhere well to aluminium?
 
I just had a disaster using Plastikote Premium fast drying paint. They wash off with petrol and brake cleaner.

I think their super enamel is stable but I’m not happy.
 
This one. Had a week to dry and dissolved with petrol and brake clean
 

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Blimey, thanks for sharing that John, I’ll certainly give that a miss !
 
I like polyurethane. Goes on thin enough to resemble original stove enamel better than powder coat, which means it's fairly thin. Tough and resistant to solvents and gasoline. I must add I haven't used it on alloy. I think I would vapor blast any alloy to a matte finish to give the poly something to stick to. Getting it in a rattle can is possible as is epoxy, which is a little thicker and more readily available.
 
This one. Had a week to dry and dissolved with petrol and brake clean
Just had a talk with their company rep. Definitely not suitable for use near solvents.

My advice would be to stay away from the fast drying versions and be very careful with choice of rattle can paints. Ask specifically- maybe at the manufacturer advice address. I wouldn’t trust some guy in a shop.

I’d do a test run first !
 
I think using a primer might be best for adhesion. Why dont you want one?

Maybe you’re right, I just wanted to keep the coat thin and thought modern technology might, for once, have come up with something actually useful.

Sadly, paints that disappear with a whiff of petrol aren’t really that useful for us motorbiking types!

Back to the drawing board I guess...
 
I have found one that the guys at Repco say will work but give me a week and I’ll be able to confirm
 
Wouldn’t recommend it, alloy always needs an alloy etching primer before next coat or paint will simply peel off . . . . eventually
 
Mmmmm. Well I’m not having much luck here with these rattle can paints.

I can’t recommend anything at present sorry. From what I can tell you need to wait a week and maybe heat them in an oven before they stand up to brake cleaner. The Repco one looks promising but after 2 days I can still get a black stain wiping it with brake clean. Maybe in a week ?

I can only recommend you experiment with top of the line options. And please let me know if you find something good. Although how they will translate country to country is anyone’s guess.

the only thing I found that really stuck was hammerite metal paint smooth applied by a brush from a can
 
Mmmmm. Well I’m not having much luck here with these rattle can paints.

the only thing I found that really stuck was hammerite metal paint smooth applied by a brush from a can

Plus 1. The only thing that stuck to the chrome on my tank badges was Rustoleum by brush from a can, applied thin to allow brush strokes to even out.

Slick
 
Nigel, I’m not sure what ally parts you are looking into, but maybe an idea to consider anodising rather than painting?
 
Can’t be bothered with that Grant!

I’m probably gonna go for the ‘brushed alloy’ look now instead of paint anyway.

Brushed (or rather Scotchbrited) alloy looks nice, doesn’t look bling, is a doddle to keep looking nice, and there’ll be no flaking paint!

Sounds like a plan eh?!
 
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Nigel, I painted a modernish ducati engine cover with generic rattle can satin black paint, I like rustoleum hard hat personally. But you have to use an etch primer and I clear coated it with Halford petrol proof lacquer available in rattle cans, check still available online?
 
i've been having very good luck lately with plain old rustoleum painter's touch 2X ultra cover. it's the newer paint & primer , all in one, stuff. painting most of the gloss black parts on my BSA project. spray on a good wet coat, and it flows out nicely. as with any painting, it's all in the prep. not building a concours show bike, and powder coat is not in the budget, so rattle can rustoleum will have to do. besides, it's probably a better paint and a better finish than what left the factory anyway.
 
Hammerite spray paint seems to work quite well for me, b.ut I've not tried sousing it in petrol though....
I've also just used normal semi-gloss black on the engine outer covers of my Ducati bevel - just needs redoing every other year or so. Hold up quite well apart from the odd chip or wear patch from my boots
 
Paint recommendations...?Best stuff I have ever used! Nice satin finish will stay on alloys. Must use one coat only. I know it's primer but really looks nice. Test with gasoline but I know it is resistant to most
 
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