There are many times when we may want to work with aluminum. It is a common metal and we might even want to add some color or perhaps attach other items using epoxy. Is it possible?
You can use epoxy with aluminum but there are certain limitations that can make it difficult. It requires that you always prepare the aluminum in advance and then after you have applied the epoxy, you need to care for the finished piece properly.
Since aluminum is such a common metal, there are going to be times when it becomes necessary to use epoxy. Perhaps it is to attach another type of material, such as glass or stone, or it may be to attach another piece of metal.
In either case, if the aluminum is properly cared for in advance, there is no reason why you should avoid doing this type of work. The epoxy will form a very strong and almost permanent bond in that case.
Then again, if you are trying to color a piece of aluminum with epoxy, either for an art piece or perhaps for a craft project, there are special circumstances and preparations that need to happen.
This is due to the fact that aluminum can oxidize over time and a layer of aluminum oxide may occur on the surface. If that happens, then the epoxy will not be able to bond properly and you will have problems. Quite simply, it will not stick.
Fortunately, there are ways to get around this and one of them is by sanding down the aluminum to remove the layer of aluminum oxide. It will take some extra work, but you will be much happier with the results.
Can You Put Epoxy On Aluminum? (How To)
Something else that may need to be done is for a layer of primer to be put on the aluminum. This is usually a good idea if you are going to be covering the metal with epoxy because it will give it a surface that will allow for adhesion properly.
You also need to be cautious when preparing aluminum for epoxy. In most cases, you are not going to have any problems of great concern when handling this common metal but if you are sanding it or otherwise preparing the surface, you are going to run into some problems.
This could include creating aluminum dust, and you would want to avoid breathing in the dust because it can be quite harmful. In addition, you might find that certain chemicals that are used to prepare aluminum can cause harmful fumes.
Along with wearing a respirator to protect your lungs, it is also a good idea to wear other PPE, such as safety glasses and gloves. These will help to protect your skin and eyes so that problems are kept to a minimum.
After considering these things, it is good to review the proper way to prepare the aluminum and apply the epoxy. It is also a good idea to learn some of the possible problems with doing the job so these can be avoided.
Should You Put Epoxy On Aluminum?
As is the case with any DIY project, there are going to be good points and bad points when you get down to the finer details. This includes putting epoxy on aluminum and there are some problems to watch out for.
We’ve already discussed the fact that it is possible to apply epoxy on aluminum and you shouldn’t have much difficulty doing so. As long as you consider some other factors associated with it, it can really make your project a success.
Surface Preparation – One of the most important things to consider when applying epoxy on aluminum is the preparation of the surface. This is something that is often overlooked, and it can have bad consequences if you don’t take the special care needed ahead of time.
Oxygen can have a reaction with aluminum that forms a layer on the surface of aluminum oxide. That additional layer can make it difficult for anything to stick to the aluminum, including epoxy.
Regardless of whether you are applying epoxy in a small area to adhere another piece to it or if you are applying epoxy over the entire sheet of aluminum, you need to have the surface clean. This may include sanding down the surface or applying certain chemicals to prepare it properly.
Bubbles – One of the biggest problems associated with epoxy is the formation of bubbles. These can form, regardless of whether you’re applying a small amount of epoxy to the surface or if you are applying it over the entire surface.
Depending on what you are doing, the bubbles can be handled as they appear. Some people use a heat gun or a hairdryer to warm up the epoxy and that will remove the bubbles automatically.
Then again, you can also avoid putting it on too thick because that can also cause bubbles to form. In addition, there may not be a need to worry too much about it if you are only using a small amount of epoxy. It will affect the ability to adhere to other pieces, but it is not generally a problem in that case.
Edges – Although this is not specific to applying epoxy to aluminum, it is something to consider for any type of metal you are working with. You need to be cautious with the edges because they can sometimes be very sharp and could easily cut you.
Make sure that you are wearing the appropriate gloves to protect your hands and long sleeves may be appropriate as well. It only takes a moment for the metal to cut you and it can cut deep.
Cracking – Another potential problem is for the epoxy to crack. This sometimes occurs because the aluminum is in thinner sheets and it may be flexible but the epoxy is not. It can be a big problem, regardless of whether you are sticking another item to the aluminum or if you are using the aluminum as a base for an art project.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Aluminum
It is always a good idea to gather the tools you need ahead of time before doing any project. Here are the tools necessary to put epoxy on aluminum.
Rags
Buckets
Sandpaper
Tack Cloth
Trowels
Squeegee
Plastic Scraper
Sander
Sanding Block
Measured Epoxy Cups
Wooden Stir Sticks
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 20, 2022.
Paint Brushes and Rollers
Foam Paint Brush
Heat Gun
Safety Glasses/Goggles
Respirator
Gloves
There may also be some other tools that you enjoy using on any DIY project. You can also use those to make the most out of this project.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Aluminum
Before you jump into any project, you need to prepare properly for it. That also includes applying epoxy to aluminum.
1. Degrease – Use acetone or denatured alcohol to wipe down the surface of the aluminum. This will help to remove contaminants from the surface that will keep the epoxy from bonding properly.
2. Sanding – There may be some instances in which you need to sand the surface of the aluminum to remove contaminants as well. It will also allow the epoxy to bond properly by providing a proper surface.
3. Primer – There may be a need to put a primer on the aluminum to allow the epoxy to adhere properly. The primer may provide a more suitable surface.
After the aluminum has been prepared properly, you can move onto the next step of actually applying the epoxy.
How To Put Epoxy On Aluminum
If you prepared everything properly, you will now be ready to apply the epoxy. Here’s how to do so so that you can be happy with the finished project.
1. Mix epoxy – A two-part epoxy will be necessary for this process. You will have to mix the epoxy at this time so that it will be prepared for the job.
For the most part, you will be using a 50-50 mixture of resin and hardener. Check with the specific epoxy you are using to make sure they have not specified a different mixture. You can mix it in the measured cups to make it easier.
Do not mix the epoxy with a drill or another tool. It should be mixed by hand using wooden mixing sticks so you don’t introduce bubbles into the mixture.
2. Pour – Pour some of the epoxy onto the aluminum in the center of the area where it is being applied. You can put on several layers of epoxy with different colors and textures if desired.
3. Spread – Use a plastic scraper or a foam brush to spread the epoxy on the surface of the aluminum. As it gets to the edges, allow it to run off the edge and drip down onto the surface underneath.
4. Bubbles – If any bubbles come to the surface, you can use a heat gun to wave over the surface of the epoxy. The heat will cause the bubbles to dissipate. Be cautious you don’t overheat the epoxy or it could ruin it.
5. Cure – The final step in the process is to allow the epoxy to cure. Typically, this will be a minimum of 24 hours but you may need to wait several days before the epoxy has fully cured. Until that point, you should not work with the aluminum or move it because you could cause the epoxy to crack.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 20, 2022.
You can apply epoxy to aluminum if the aluminum is prepared properly in advance. This could include sanding down the surface of the aluminum and applying a primer.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 20, 2022.