Topic: will etching primer work on anodized aluminum...

[grumpy]

... or do I have to remove the anodizing (which would really suck)?

I need to paint an anodized part and was hoping to hit it w/ Duplicolor etching primer, or any primer that works, then a top coat.

The Dupli tech sheets don't mention anodizing at all...

anybody know??

[seanbarney41]

...pretty sure as long as you scuff it up good, it will be as paintable as anything else...although there may not be any need or advantage to using the etching primer.  Regular old primer might be as good as anything else.  You can remove anodizing with Easy Off oven cleaner and a little sanding.

[mrbreeze]

I did some hand controls with the easy off to remove the anodizing a few years back and it worked good. You don't want to leave it on too long and you do have to sand it after.

[grumpy]

yeah - I thought about giving it a dip in sodium hydroxide to strip the anodizing but the part is 2 pieces bonded together & I have no idea if the lye would jack up the bond.
Plus then it has to be neutralized and flushed. Not a big deal, really, but I'm lazy.