Paint an aluminium machine part

Guided machine part coating

Guide to painting an aluminium machine part

Aluminium machine parts need careful cleaning, light abrasion and a suitable adhesion primer before the semi gloss topcoat. Aluminium oxide and handling residue can reduce adhesion, so the surface should be cleaned, keyed and primed before colour is applied. The specified Mipa products combine silicone removal, sanding, Mipa Active Primer with WPZ hardener, and PU 250-50 with A60 hardener and 2K thinner.

What do you need to paint an aluminium machine part?

Cleaning and degreasing

Mipa silicone remover in liquid or spray format removes wax, grease and silicone before sanding, primer or topcoat work. Clean panels make the next layer bond to the surface instead of to contamination.

Surface keying

MP Sanding Pad helps abrade small covers, brackets, housings and edges before primer. A clean mechanical key gives the adhesion primer a better surface to grip.

Adhesion primer for non ferrous metal

Mipa Active Primer with Mipa Hardener WPZ is a chromate free 2K wash primer for non ferrous metal. It creates the adhesion bridge before the polyurethane finish is applied.

Semi gloss polyurethane finish

Mipa PU 250-50 is a semi gloss 2K polyurethane acrylic topcoat for machines and constructions. It suits small industrial parts where a tough, controlled finish is needed.

Hardener and thinner for the finish

Mipa PUR Plus Hardener A60 cures PU 250-50, while Mipa 2K Thinner Normal V 25 adjusts application viscosity. Keep these products with the topcoat stage, not the wash primer stage.

How to paint an aluminium machine part

  1. 1
    Clean the part thoroughly

    Remove grease, processing residue, dust and handling marks with Mipa silicone remover before any sanding or primer work begins.

  2. 2
    Key the surface lightly

    Abrade the part evenly with the sanding pad, reaching edges and fixing holes without rounding important details or damaging the part.

  3. 3
    Apply the adhesion primer

    Use Mipa Active Primer with WPZ hardener on the prepared bare surface so the coating build starts with the correct adhesion layer.

  4. 4
    Apply the PU finish

    Coat with Mipa PU 250-50 using Mipa PUR Plus Hardener A60 and Mipa 2K Thinner Normal V 25 according to the chosen application method.

  5. 5
    Cure before assembly

    Let the 2K coating cure before bolting, clipping or sliding the part into service because contact marks are easiest to create while the finish is fresh.

Which products should you choose for an aluminium machine part?

For bare aluminium parts

Use Active Primer with WPZ hardener after cleaning and abrasion, then finish with PU 250-50 after the primer stage is ready.

For small covers and brackets

Keep sanding controlled around edges and holes so the coating sits evenly without heavy film build at fitting points.

For visible machine details

Use PU 250-50 when a semi gloss industrial finish is needed on aluminium covers, brackets or small housings.

Technical details

  • Mipa Active Primer is a chromate free 2K wash primer for non ferrous metal with a yellow green glazing appearance.
  • Mipa Active Primer uses Mipa Hardener WPZ at a mixing ratio from 1:1 up to 2:1.
  • Mipa PU 250-50 uses Mipa PUR Plus Hardener A60 at 10:1 by weight and 8:1 by volume, with Mipa 2K Thinner for adjustment.
  • Use the WPZ hardener only with the Active Primer stage and the A60 hardener only with the PU 250-50 topcoat stage.
  • Aluminium should be clean, dry and lightly abraded before primer because oxide, dust and oil can interfere with adhesion.
Practical suggestion

Paint aluminium parts soon after final cleaning and preparation. Leaving prepared aluminium exposed can allow fresh contamination or oxide to interfere with the coating build.

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