Crackle paint onto aluminium....

[EFA]

Any views on the effect of using etch primer as a base coat?

I'm not convinced it will key otherwise.

[spyder dryver]

That's exactly what we have done in the past. Works perfectly.

[mickrick]

When I've spray painted aluminium sailboat masts, quite a few years ago now, I've used and acid wash first, then a etch primer, then epoxy primer over the etch.
The etch primer is "dusted" on realy thin.

[dmulally]

Remember the etch doesnt need to be sanded. Especially if dusted on.

[EFA]

Cool. Thanks guys.

[mickrick]

dmulally said:

Remember the etch doesnt need to be sanded. Especially if dusted on.

Quite right. I'd forgotten about that. Last mast I painted was in 1996!
Make sure you stick to the overcoating times.