Painting Aluminum shafts

[Recurve50LBS]

I am wondering what type of paint to use for painting aluminum shafts. I have tried using Testors model paint and the results were less than acceptable. I do have a motor to slowly spin the shafts while doing the painting. I am on a fairly tight budget so I'm not realy interested in buying equipment to dip my shafts. Besides I want to make some painted bands about mid way down the shafts.
I have even thought of using masking tape and spray painting after applying a spray primer.
I have looked on the how to forum and came up blank.
I know that there are many tallented people here at Trade Gang that should be able to help.
Thanks
Larry

[Dave Worden]

Since Bohnings paints are lacquer, I'd assume any lacquer should stick fine.  Clean the shaft first with acetone or lacquer thinner and you should be OK.  I did some cresting bands directly on the aluminum with Crestor's a few years ago and they held up fine, but they were a little thicker than I wanted in order to cover well.  Is that your problem or is it adhesion?

[Recurve50LBS]

The testors paint don't seem to cover very well. Seems that painting with that brand of paint would require several coats of paint to get the job done thus making the band pretty thick.

[Shakes.602]

Did you clean the Shafts with Acetone, and let it Dry before You Painted them? I also do that, wipe 'em down good, before I Fletch 'em too!!

[M60gunner]

Bohning Fletch-lac is a vinyl Lacquer. We used it in the Metal decorating business to make jar lids years ago. It leaves a film rather than soaking into the metal.
 I use Comet kitchen cleanzer and a soft Scotch brite pad to clean shafts then rinse in hot water and dry with paper towels. Old timers used this combo on the old silver gamegetters before the shafts were anodized. It still works.
I have seen auto paints used on alum. shafts but the paint yellowed and faded after a year or so. Maybe the paint or prep?
I have tried model paints for cresting. I used a brand called Humbroid (sp). It was for model trains and tanks. It was not bright enough for me so I went back to Bohning products.
I have seen on Trag. Gang some hvae used Krylon spray paint and it worked for them.
Good Luck,tom

[Dustin Waters]

Krylon works alright.. The problem ive seen with using lacquer is it tends to chip off if the arrow hits something in that area.  If you are going to use the lacquer or Krylon you need to let it dry for 30 minutes+ and then use a clear coat protectant on top of that.  That will give you a nice crown dip from there i use whispering wind cresting paint.. ITs about 3 dollars a jar but a jar will last you forever and you dont run into the coating problems.

[DarkeGreen]

I've sprayed mine with paint from a can and it worked great. You need about 3 coats to cover the camo and not get runs but otherwise it works for me.

[V-Archer]

I spray my arrows, after cleaning them with thinner, first with primer (can) and then with car paint (spray can). Keep a spraying distance of some 10" so that the paint is evenly spread. If required, repeat this until the paint covers all you want to be covered.
I buy these cans at the local auto parts shop.
I glue the feathers with Locktite IS 495 (industrial) and they sit rock tight.

[Tony Phillips]

Here is a picture of my Easton Stalkers. They were first painted with white Krylon, then a coat of fluorescent orange. The small band of crest is Testers Chartreuse. I then put about 5 coats of gloss water based poly.  

 

[Recurve50LBS]

Wow! Thanks everyone for all the great advice and ideas. I'll be sure to try them out to see what works best for me.

Larry

[Dustin Waters]

Hey tony
Do you ever lose an arrow?

[Tony Phillips]

I just made these up last week, so I haven’t even shot them yet. But I will probably lose some.

[The Whittler]

Tony, do they come with a dimmer switch lol. Just kidding, they are very nice looking arrows. I like bright looking arrows myself. Alan

[Tony Phillips]

The colors really pop with the black color of the stalker shafts.