Thread: Roof painting

There are a couple of places on the internet that talk about painting landys, but I can't remember where they are at the moment. Blackstump had one I think.

Personally, i'd sant it back, and anywhere that has bare aluminium needs to have etch primer. Also I believe the primer needs to go on within 1/2 hour of exposing the metal ie, before it oxadises. then sand and paint per normal.

Don't take my word for it though, I haven't got around to doing any of my vehicle yet ops:

I used to help a guy paint ultralights made from aluminium.

Surface prep was they were bare aluminium so we would rub them back in circular motion with kitchen scourer pad, not steel wool the other stuff.
The result would be circular scuff marks all over the sections and helped the etch primer to adhere to the aluminium better. Spray the etch on as a light coat and rub back again with scourer pad until smoothish. Paint as per normal without sanding between the coats.

So I'd say painting the landy would be no different though just be sure the old paint has a good adherance to avoid flaking off later on. Use the scour pad instead of sandpaper to avoid cut marks or uneven sanding in the panels. Make sure your base coat is thick, orange peel is okay but runs is too thick.

Though I too haven't seen the point of painting my hellspawn, with the body damage, scratches and patches of primer would take me more than a month to get right and some inconsiderate driver 2 seconds in a parking lot to damage.

Not so much that I don't see the point, just haven't done it yet ops:

Scouring pad is a good hint, that would work a treat. Much better than sandpaper (and would last longer I expect).

8) adamv8, i guess your jigger has an ally roof, dunno much about series,
but i do a bit of aircraft painting, aluminium is my disease.
not knowing how bad it is i'll go with the worst case.[briefly]
strip the old paint off completely
clean it thoroughly
treat it with a corrosion killer
alodine it
etch prime
then depending on what top coat paint - ie acrylic or two pack
follow that manufacturers directions.
usually a filler coat type primer[which you can sand/fill to rid it of dents etc] another filler coat primer
and top coat.
i know thats a bit sketchy, but its complex if i get into serious how to do it
stuff.
pm me if you want to know more or perhaps chat to someone in the aircraft trade painting world
8)

Thanks for all advices - it seems to me that this is not so basic, simple job to do, providing I wanna do it properly...
Can U recommend any specific primer and paint ?
This is not careful restoration-I don't need original LR paints or so.
adam

8) i'd go with a two pack process, the important thing is to use the whole process from one manufacturer. mixing brands can cause problems as they some times don't talk to each other, therefore falling off later, or crazing, and don't use a system which needs a clearcoat finish, as they are prone to failure if you don't have access to baking ovens
have fun now!
8)