Time Between Alodine and Primer?

[RidiculousM]

Once parts are Alodined, do they need to be primed right away or can they sit around for awhile (days/weeks)?

Thanks,
Mike

[RV6AussieNick]

From memory, I think you have 24hrs to prime the alodined parts, I'm sure there will be an alodine specialist on the VAF who will know for sure.

Cheers,

[fixnflyguy]

Mike,
There are several factors, but in laymans terms, the alodine is an etch to prep for best primer adhesion, as well as protect bare aluminum alloy. This could be a 10 page reply if we get into the real details, but for your case, priming is better sooner. Humididty is the main factor,and if kept dry, you can wait awhile. Extrusion, which has no Alclad is most vulnerable,while any formed or sheet parts which have Alclad(Vans parts), are really only vulnerable where they are cut or drilled. Just imagine them as plywood with the edges exposed. In the production world ( big expensive planes) we alodine and prime in one operation...I can give you mor info if you need.

[RidiculousM]

Thanks for the reply's, I will wait to alodine just before priming.
Mike

[az_gila]

The manufacturer says to paint (or prime) soon after the alodine is dry...

http://www.chemical-supermarket.com/...20Bulletin.pdf

[chaskuss]

Mike,
Sooner is better, as the other posters have stated. That said, unless you can force dry [heated air] the Alodined parts, allow at least 8 hours for the parts to dry before priming. Otherwise, you risk applying primer to a part which is still damp. That would trap moisture between the part and primer [a bad thing]
Charlie

[jbagley]

Originally Posted by chaskuss

Mike,
Sooner is better, as the other posters have stated. That said, unless you can force dry [heated air] the Alodined parts, allow at least 8 hours for the parts to dry before priming. Otherwise, you risk applying primer to a part which is still damp. That would trap moisture between the part and primer [a bad thing]
Charlie

I use a blow gun from the air compressor. Takes just a minute for most small parts and usually hit them with some compressed air right before hanging them for spraying primer. I've primered parts this way within an hour or so of alodine.

I've always had an air filter on my air compressor and have heard that if you have oil in your compressor lines it's not so good for painting.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by chaskuss

Mike,
Sooner is better, as the other posters have stated. That said, unless you can force dry [heated air] the Alodined parts, allow at least 8 hours for the parts to dry before priming. Otherwise, you risk applying primer to a part which is still damp. That would trap moisture between the part and primer [a bad thing]
Charlie

The manufacturer says this -

Drying:
As an aid to drying, heating the treated part, blowing off with clean, dry,
filtered, forced air or gently wiping with a dry, clean rag will lessen the
time required. Do not allow the aluminum metal temperature to exceed 140
Fahrenheit.
Paint soon after the work is dry in order to prevent soils or oxidation from
recontaminating the prepared metal surface.

I was going to say 8 hours is a bit long, but I see you are in Florida...

I found a gentle blot with a new paper towel works well after all water drops are shaken off.

[N941WR]

I would alodine my parts at the end of my work session, hang them up and go to bed. First thing in the morning I would hit them with pimer before jumping in the shower and getting ready for work.