I don't know if this is at all helpful since it is from a hobby perspective, but I have successfully painted aluminum using Rustoleum enamel spray paint - first the primer, then the color. I used a gloss-finish color coat. I painted the tube of my telescope that way back in 1993 and it still looks very good, no flecks coming off, etc. Sean On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 11:33 PM, Carey Fisher w= rote: > Does anyone know of a good reference to (wet, not powder) painting alumin= um > (typically 6061 T651). =A0Our normal vendors do a good job on quantity pa= rts > but when we need a one-off panel painted, the cost is unacceptable. > > I know you either have to do a chromate conversion coating (e.g. Iridite)= or > some sort of chemical etching to get a decent paint job on aluminum. =A0B= ut, > I'm not going to set up an Iridite line so I'm looking for a reasonably > simple but effective process that can be performed in a homemade paint bo= oth > (big cardboard box) with readily available materials e.g. solvents, etchi= ng > primers, proper type of paint, etc. > > Thanks for any leads! > Carey Fisher > Chief Technical Officer > New Communications Solutions, LLC > 678-999-3956 > careyfisher@ncsradio.com > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .