What lacquer to use on aluminium?

Before choosing which type of lacquer can be used on aluminium, it is necessary to identify the characteristics it must possess in order to be used. Certainly, basically, it should have excellent adhesion properties, provide a protective barrier against humidity, oxidation and environmental factors and resist abrasion and atmospheric agents without losing its protective properties or its colour. But these are not the only characteristics that an aluminium paint must have. In particular, in fact, it should also possess other properties:

• Flexibility: aluminium can expand and contract due to temperature changes. A good lacquer should be flexible enough to accommodate these expansions and contractions without peeling away from the surface.
• UV resistance: aluminium can be exposed to sunlight; as a result, UV-resistant paints can help prevent fading or degradation caused by prolonged sun exposure.
• Chemical resistance: lacquer must resist damage caused by common chemicals or pollutants to maintain its protective qualities over time.
• Heat resistance: depending on the application, the paint may need to withstand high temperatures without degrading or altering its properties.
• Compatibility and Application: the lacquer must be made specifically for use on aluminium surfaces and be easy to apply using suitable methods such as spraying, brushing or dipping.
• Fast drying and curing: efficient drying and curing times can be beneficial to productivity in manufacturing processes.
• Clear or pigmented formulation: depending on the desired result, the paint can be clear to show the natural appearance of the aluminium or pigmented to provide specific colors or finishes.

External aluminium lacquer

All these characteristics are necessary considering that aluminium lacquer is chosen above all for external use. The applications are varied as they range from furnishings to architectural elements, maintenance and more. In particular, lacquered aluminium is chosen for external architectural structures such as facades, windows, doors, canopies, coverings and decorative panels; garden furniture, railings, pergolas and other outdoor furnishings; but also for road sign panels and advertising signs. Obviously the required coating must have different properties based on the final application.

Italcoat, a company that has been working in the field of aluminium lacquers for thirty years, can supply surfaces processed with a variety of coatings, for internal and external use. For more information on our services, take a look at our online catalogs!