I want to paint directly on Aluminum with Acrylic paint and also collage on the aluminum using Acrylic Matt Medium as the adhesive. I was told I should use a degreaser on the aluminum and than could directly paint on it. Would a solution of distilled vinegar, baking soda and water work as the degreaser. Do you have any other recommendations. I want the aluminum in places to show throught so I don’t want to prime the aluminum.
We have included some suggestions on how to prepare Aluminum substrates for painting in our “Rigid Supports” document which can be found in the Resources section (Just scroll down to the “Aluminum” section). I also think using acrylic medium would be fine to apply to the surface to use as an “adhesive” as long as you clean the surface well and impart a bit of tooth. Perhaps our colleagues who are experts in acrylics can weigh in here as well….
While we recognize the desire by artists to paint directly on raw aluminum – and will provide recommendations if they insist on going there – we feel that raw aluminum is inherently reactive and ultimately best practice is to either have it primed or with a protective coating in place. You can read about our best recommendations for either approach in the following article:
http://www.justpaint.org/painting-on-metal-an-introduction/
I would also point you to the fact that Dibond does make an aluminum panel that has only a clear protective coating and so does appear quite metallic while still being protected from oxidization or corrosion. Preparing that surface for painting would be the same as with the white polyester coated panels you usually find.
Hope that helps.
Must it be an adhesive? Sometimes I favor mechanical attachments (e.g. screws, wires, etc) over adhesives specifically where heavy 3D elements on rigid panels are concerned.
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