[crabandy]

Should I acid etch the alumimum prior to applying west systems 410 filler? If so where can you find acid etch locally.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[newtech]

On mine, any aluminum that got filler was cleaned with Dawn and maroon scotchbrite pad followed by acid etch and alodyne. No filler has fallen out so far

 

[Adam]

Acid is ok but I would be more agressive with the Scotchbrite, I used 60 grit paper.

 

[crabandy]

Prior to sanding I wased with soap and water than sanded with 60 grit, washed with soap and water than acetone. As I was sanding the fiberglass down, there was one section of fiberglass over the aluminum that I ended up peeling off with a putty knife. Possibly it's my cleaning, half the parts I wiped with acetone and papertowels until the towel came away clean, the other half I just wiped down once with acetone and paper towels.

 

[APACHE 56]

Where's the etch?

If so where can you find acid etch locally.

I found the metal prep (acid etch) at our local automotive paint stores.
Don

 

[bret]

Did all my tip work by sanding with 80 grit, blow air, grease and wax remover and apply, worked great! I used west systems G flex resin,

 

[Wayne Gillispie]

I ordered the 860 acid etch kit from

Jamestown Distributors.

It improves the bond strength and helps prevent corrosion which can form at the metal/epoxy interface. Corrosion can cause a weakened bond down the road. I used it for some but not all alum/epoxy bonds. Mainly on winshield base fairing as it was recommended by Van's here. Here is a link.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=12214