Good PRIMER

[tom28a]

HI Guys what is a good etch primer for aluminum that still can be bought. I used to be able to get the good kind. but haven't done it for years and some is not made any more..any help would be appreciated

[cockney steve]

In the absence of any other replies.....
I don't know what automotive refinishing/ specialist coating / aircraft paint manufacturers are active in the USA...but they are the sort of Googoo searches you could make.
Monsanato? seems to ring a bell.
Sikkens is a top-end european maker. I'd suggest that you look at the whole paint-system,from bare metal-prep through to sinal topcoat/lacquer.
Even on touch-ins you can find that the boundary of a repair-patch suffers problems of adverse reaction/ checking/ softness/durability.....
I am sure you will get full technical assistance from any major manufacturer.
(in UK, the distributors do not seem to have staff trained to a high-enough level.)

[ericferret]

I have just realised that the paint below can't be shipped to the USA or for that matter anywhere other than the UK. However for UK users I would recomend it.

Skytech Aircraft Etch Primer at Skycraft (http://www.sky-craft.co.uk/acatalog/Skycraft_Home_Builder_Permit_Aircraft_Etch_Primers.html)

This is the standard etch primer used for years in the UK and the best I have ever used.
Produced to the UK military spec DTD555.

This is real etch primer and not the "just sticks to the surface" types more generally available.
Some of the primers out there are rubbish. Ask Easyjet, when their first Boeing 737-700's were delivered they lost paint on the delivery flight and within months all the paint was peeling off the thousands of rivet heads.

[espresso drinker]

PR30B ETCH PRIMER - PPG Industries - Aerospace (http://www.ppgaerospace.com/Products/Coatings-Removers-Cleaners/Commercial-Civil-Aviation/Primers/PR30B-Etch-Primer.aspx)

PPG PR30B - Chromated Etch Primer

Does exactly what it says on the tin!

[tom28a]

Thanks guys... I think I found a few good ones to try I going to do some testing first before I use it....