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The roof of the old stone cabin I built a while back was shingled with bit aluminum, embossed to look like flattened tin cans and other random pieces of scrap metal. The aluminum came from soda cans, and was heated with a torch to burn off the coating and make it softer so it would be easier to work with. After the individual pieces were glued to the roof, I painted them with a mixture of Floquil roof brown, rust, and gunmetal. Rustall and other weathering solutions were added to finish the effect.
Unfortunately, the paint is now flaking off! I have two theories as to the cause:
1. The metal wasn't clean enough after being torched, and may have had some sooty residue that prevented proper adhesion of the paint; and/or...
2. Floquil paint isn't flexible enough to handle the expansion and contraction of the aluminum.
Anyway, I now have to scrub off as much paint as possible using a small wire brush, so that I can properly repaint it. I'm considering using some type of acrylic based paint this time rather than Floquil.
Comments/suggestions?
Update: After scrubbing with a wire brush, I'm more inclined to believe that the adhesion problem was mainly due to tarnish/soot/whatever on the surface of the aluminum. In some areas the paint comes right off leaving a shiny surface, in other areas it resists even vigorous scrubbing. I've also found that some of the "shingles" are coming loose for the same reason.
I'm also thinking that in future, in addition to carefully cleaning the aluminum, I might also give it a brief acid bath to etch the surface a little.
Unfortunately, the paint is now flaking off! I have two theories as to the cause:
1. The metal wasn't clean enough after being torched, and may have had some sooty residue that prevented proper adhesion of the paint; and/or...
2. Floquil paint isn't flexible enough to handle the expansion and contraction of the aluminum.
Anyway, I now have to scrub off as much paint as possible using a small wire brush, so that I can properly repaint it. I'm considering using some type of acrylic based paint this time rather than Floquil.
Comments/suggestions?
Update: After scrubbing with a wire brush, I'm more inclined to believe that the adhesion problem was mainly due to tarnish/soot/whatever on the surface of the aluminum. In some areas the paint comes right off leaving a shiny surface, in other areas it resists even vigorous scrubbing. I've also found that some of the "shingles" are coming loose for the same reason.
I'm also thinking that in future, in addition to carefully cleaning the aluminum, I might also give it a brief acid bath to etch the surface a little.