Best method of painting outdoor aluminum light fittings

[Fishyboy]

Hi all,
We have some aluminum(?) light fittings which are starting to peel and corrode. We live a few miles form the coast and the salty sea air has probably caused some corrosion, pitting and formation of aluminum oxide (white, chalky stuff) under the paint.

I was going to remove a fitting, strip the remaining paint and then try to remove the pitting, oxide and corrosion using a wire brush, sanding and possibly blasting.

What are my best options for painting. I saw a recommendation on here (https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/aluminium-corrosion-and-coating.126256/) for Hammerite Special Metals Primer (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0D8N69LYQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1N6Y874K8UIM6&psc=1) followed by a topcoat.

Alternatively, I was wondering about using Hammerite Direct to Galvanised Metal (http://www.tooldevil.co.uk/Product/Hammerite-Direct-To-Galvanised-Metal-Paint-Black-750ml_15021), which is also supposed to work on Aluminum and does not require primer.

I am only suggesting Hammerite based on searching the web as I am sure there may be better option out there.

Any suggestions?

Phil

 

[brightspark]

just clean it back and stick any metal paint on it and it will last years . they only had one cheap single coat on them from new thats why its peeled off a few coats of smoothrite or any metal paints better than what was on

 

[JimmyS]

Bedec multi surface paint with their primer as first coat works pretty well. I painted a lot of our aluminium gutters with it a couple of years ago and it's still looking OK.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I would use a specific primer for aluminium...don't use steel etch primer unless you want it all to peel off (ask me how I know )

Jenolite universal etch primer is what I used last time....that worked well for me.

I'm sure others will know what's worked for them...I know what didn't work...came off in sheets....very annoying!

 

[ajlelectronics]

Epoxy primer. It will outperform all the old etch primers.

 

[Onoff]

I did a couple two years ago:

Paint Stripper For Ali

Decided to remove and repaint a couple of coach lanterns as the majority of the "paint" is flaking off. Well...the jet wash took a lot off but the rest it stuck fast! Tried the wire cup brush in the grinder not good. Next the velcro discs in the drill. Not bad but what a slow ballache! The 5L...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[MetalMonkey]

Blast the fittings, then I’d suggest either epoxy or etch primer and a 2K topcoat.
You could get them powder coated, but it will most likely fail again.

 

[angellonewolf]

sod that there cheap swap them out for new paint will cost half of new ones

b and q had some cheap 13 quid each the other day

 

[voipio]

Agree. Best to bin them. If water is able to get under the paint, then it also means that the seals have probably been compromised, and water will be getting inside and degrading the parts that are inside the casing. Looking at the photo I'd say that water is already getting in.