Headlamp cover

[Johnluss]

The headlamp covers are made of some aluminium alloy I think. Last year there was some type of rust (I know it is not rust). I sanded and cleaned to bare metal put a primer and paint. But it is reappered.
Any advice??
Thanks

[Maxwell]

Hi

I think they need to be etch-primed first. Ordinary primer won't adhere...

Good Luck

Maxwell [:)]

[gaz]

also sometimes no matter how much prep you do on these pods it can come back ask any landrover driver
mine came back in a matter of weeks but they were pretty bad........

It rides again..... and again wehey!!!!!!!

[yorkens]

Etch priming on aluminium is a must for longevity. Ideally the pods should be blasted with glass beads, (expensive) but would remove corrosion totally and leave a lovely satin finish, ideal for the paint to grip to. The other alternative (that i´ve tried successfully on my TR7 alloy wheels) is to use phosphoric acid with a fine wire brush and a thorough rinse with water afterwards, me included!

[yorkens]

Etch priming on aluminium is a must for longevity. Ideally the pods should be blasted with glass beads, (expensive) but would remove corrosion totally and leave a lovely satin finish, ideal for the paint to grip to. The other alternative (that i´ve tried successfully on my TR7 alloy wheels) is to use phosphoric acid with a fine wire brush and a thorough rinse with water afterwards, me included!

[Johnluss]

Thanks. When you say "etching" what do you mean exactly?


<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by yorkens</i>

Etch priming on aluminium is a must for longevity. Ideally the pods should be blasted with glass beads, (expensive) but would remove corrosion totally and leave a lovely satin finish, ideal for the paint to grip to. The other alternative (that i´ve tried successfully on my TR7 alloy wheels) is to use phosphoric acid with a fine wire brush and a thorough rinse with water afterwards, me included!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[FI Spyder]

You can buy primers that etch the surface as they are sprayed on and are marked as such. The other solution is to spray an etching agent first. This could be something specific for that purpose or something like chrome wheel cleaner that worns not to use on aluminum as it will etch surface which is exactly what you want. Just wash etchers off before applying regular primer.



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[yorkens]

Normal primer just sits on metal, etching primer incorporates some kind of acid that "eats" in to the surface of the metal, providing a good key for subsequent coats of paint. If you can´t find it locally, you can order this excellent make online:
http://www.bilthamber.com/etchweld.html
You must topcoat the etch primer with normal or high build primer, taking care not to rub back into the etch primer!
George