Painting Cast Alloy

[Lijong]

I have an old cast alloy sign I want to paint. I've sanded it and cleaned it thoroughly. I intend on painting it with Hammerite in dark green and gold. Do I need any king of undercoat or are there better metal paints I could use?

Thanks li

 

[JohnD]

Hammerite is actually not very good.

You'll do better with an ordinary oil paint system.

 

[Burnerman]

Give it a spray over first with an etching primer......excellent for castings albeit slightly more expensive than other rattle cans.
Id really go for brushing enamel paint other than Hammerite - as per JohnD.
I wonder if Japlac is still about?
John

 

[Lijong]

Is this ok?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001W03PT0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Can anyone recommend any enamel paint please?

 

[JohnD]

Will it be indoors?

Or exposec to the weather?

 

[Lijong]

Indoors, thank you.

 

[JohnD]

I'd use an ordinary household oil-based gloss paint system.

But you could use a spray-can for the black and primer, if you don't already have a can of black gloss in the house (I always have, it's a very common colour to need).

Under the gold paint (use a small artists paintbrush if it lettering or design) a light-coloured or silver undercoat will give a better effect than if you try to paint gold over black. I have an idea gilders apply it onto dull red.

I often put metal objects in a low oven (80C, maybe) to harden the paint more quickly once it is a day or so old.

If you have to buy paint specially, Humbrol do 120ml tins, used by model makers, or 10ml/14ml might be enough if you need very little gold. They have their own brand of thinners. it may be some common solvent, I don't know.

 

[Lijong]

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. I need to get some etching primer, will tape pff the letters once primed and spray the black on, then get some gold enamel gold paint. Thanks for the help