Prep-n-etch from Home Depot...

[Michael Burbidge]

I found a product called prep-n-etch at Home Depot. It is a metal cleaner meant for prepping metals, including aluminum, for painting. It is phosphate based. Has anyone tried it? Would it be appropriate before priming aluminum airplane parts?

[Greg Arehart]

Not sure I can answer the real question, but if it is phosphate based, it is probably phosphoric acid, which typically will help dissolve (iron) rust. Not sure what it will do to aluminum or aluminum alloys. Partly would depend on what else is in there, based on what I know of chemistry.

greg

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Greg Arehart

Not sure I can answer the real question, but if it is phosphate based, it is probably phosphoric acid, which typically will help dissolve (iron) rust. Not sure what it will do to aluminum or aluminum alloys. Partly would depend on what else is in there, based on what I know of chemistry.

greg

Greg.. It appears that phosphoric acid is the main active ingredient in Alumiprep 33

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...alumprep33.doc

But why risk the Home Depot stuff? You can buy acid etch that meets aluminum acid etch/alodine requirements at your local auto paint store... and no hazardous shipping charges...

gil A

[carguy614]

Phosphuric acid is also the active chemical in Variprime to etch the metal.

Regards...Chris

[terrykohler]

You can also purchase all of the blind rivets you need at Home Depot. This will probably save you more money than the etch. Like the phosphoric acid, all you need to know is that they are aluminum. Please, unless you have a great deal more info on the paint, stick to aircraft grade material. You've invested a lot of time and money to this point. Why would you want to risk all of this work?
If you want to see the ultimate in money saving, look at the post where builders are hand threading their gear legs. After literally chiseling the thread form onto the heat treated shaft with a constantly dulling die, no one seems to care that they have likely generated a significant number of tears and cracks which may eventually lead to fracture. If the nut fits, good enough. Save money? Yup!
Terry

[Mel]

Originally Posted by terrykohler

You can also purchase all of the blind rivets you need at Home Depot.

Terry,
I assume that this comment is "tongue-in-cheek."
But before some "newby" runs out to Home Depot to buy pop rivets, let me say that any blind rivets used in aircraft NEED to meet some kind of "specification!" The ones at Home Depot don't!

[Michael Burbidge]

Sorry for asking the question. You guys are right, it is stupid to get this kind of stuff at Home Depot, when you're not sure it will work just to save a few bucks. I couldn't find Alumiprep locally so I ordered some. That and Alodine.

[Captain_John]

No, not necessarily so. I am sure product is product. The question is, what is the product.

Each brand is it's own "chemical soup". I can't believe there are that many soups out there to choose from.

I got the stuff from West Marine in the (2 ounce?) bottles. It APPEARS to be Aluma Prep and Alodine. It is SUPPOSED to prep and convert aluminum. It looks and feels like AP 33 and Alodine. I don't use much of it and for my needs, it should be fine.

It may suit you too?

CJ

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Captain_John

No, not necessarily so. I am sure product is product. The question is, what is the product.

Each brand is it's own "chemical soup". I can't believe there are that many soups out there to choose from.

I got the stuff from West Marine in the (2 ounce?) bottles. It APPEARS to be Aluma Prep and Alodine. It is SUPPOSED to prep and convert aluminum. It looks and feels like AP 33 and Alodine. I don't use much of it and for my needs, it should be fine.

It may suit you too?

CJ

Captain... not quite apples to apples..

If it's this stuff from West Marine... yes it is probably the usual acid etch/alodine treatment (two steps) for aluminum.



However, the original poster was talking about some generic (try a Google search "prep-n-etch", all I came up with was a concrete etch) hardware store stuff that is for all metals, and is one step.

Not quite the same thing.

gil A

[caryr]

"Wheel Brite" is a product at auto cleanup suppliers that works like the Alumprep.


makes alum shine like new money


cary