Finishing (spray paint) aluminum projector cases?

[Misebeam]

It has 1 Agron 610 Enterprise 1.4 Watts & 22amps , 2 Maxyz's reds 420Mw, 4 channel PCAOM, Cambridge CT6800hp scanner with matched amps (for graphics / beams full color), Catweazeal 30k scanner for beams (waste beam from PCAOM), 2 pangolin cards, 1 8 chan dmx controller for 8 Gm-20s (6 beam on beam table, 1 for lumina and motor), Saftey interlock system, and a Partridge in a pear tree ,all portable with 3 people.

[Dr Laser]

I'm seriously considering building a custom case for my projector using aluminum sheet and plates. Does anyone have any recommendations on the proper materials & preparations for finishing bare aluminum? I would rather use spray paint products rather than paying the additional costs of an anodized finish.

Thanks!

Acetone....Etch primer plus some good paint and you are good to go.

[OSLS]

We have learned the hard way in the past that most but not all of those molded aluminum project boxes are too soft to anodize and even after all the numerous processes we used to etch, scratch, or whatever to the material’s surface they only ended upped brownish at best. Now by all means use the self etching primer and paint them with preferably matte finish paint, but please do you best to protect your hard work with a clear coat at the end. This will make the final product much more durable and remember that all clear isn't glossy. Being that said this would actually be my second choice over a quality powder coat finish, but its all up to you and your own personal preferences. Here is a quick shot of the last run of kill switches we completed using the etch, paint, clear process because we dumped well over $200 on these 5 units just for anodizing, and re-anodizing, and you get the point it didn’t work no matter what we tried. So paint it was for this order.

[dave]

what about powder coating?

[Stuka]

Anyone have a brand name and/or vendor for good self-etching spray primers?

[carmangary]

Eastwood Co sells some. Only place I know of that has it in a can. I am sure there are others... I just haven't looked to see.

This black primer would be nice since it is black.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

[mixedgas]

[QUOTE=Misebeam;33946]It has 1 Agron 610 Enterprise 1.4 Watts
Do you know off hand what the test current and tube voltage is
for the argon enterprise? I'd like the data for the ion Section In Sam's
FAQ (do you have a service manual? ) Enterprises dont show up in the Ohio area :-(

respectfully,
Steve Roberts

Primary Contributer, Gas Lasers, Sam's Laser FAQ.

[Misebeam]

No I do not know off the top of my head ithink 22 Amps, but max current the supply will put out is 24.75 amps. I do however have a full manual in PDF format @ home for the enterpise II head, power supply, and heat Exchanger. I could send it to you if you like?