SURFACE PREPARATION SHEET

NON FERROUS METALS (Aluminiums / Alloys / Brass / Bronze /

Copper )
Surface Preparation Code

PNF004

Substrate Description
SUBSTRATE DESCRIPTION
ALUMINIUM & ALLOYS
Aluminium and its alloys rapidly oxidise on exposure, forming a chemically inert, protective layer that protects the metal from further
corrosion.
Aluminium and its alloys may be extremely smooth or contaminated with greases, oils and foreign matter leading to poor paint
adhesion and reduced lifetime. Careful cleaning and thorough abrasion of the surface must be carried out prior to painting to
ensure maximum coating performance.
ANODISED ALUMINIUM
Anodising is an electro-chemical process which physically alters the surface of the metal to produce a very smooth, tough, dense,
invisible oxide layer on the surface. The aluminium surface is passivated and sealed and therefore unable to bond with any organic
coating, including powder coatings unless proper surface preparation is carried out to ensure adequate adhesion of the applied
finish.
COPPER
Copper metal has a dull brown metallic lustre but will oxidise to the familiar chalky green patina often seen on copper domes on
heritage buildings. This green patina must be completely removed prior to painting.
BRASS
Brass is an alloy (blend) of copper and zinc. Brass can be polished to a bright, shiny, lustrous metallic dark gold appearance but is
prone to tarnishing (surface corrosion), particularly on contact with skin, and therefore should not be handled with bare hands.
Brass is very smooth and may be coated with oils leading to poor paint adhesion and reduced lifetime. Careful cleaning and
thorough abrasion of the surface must be carried out prior to painting to ensure maximum coating performance.
BRONZE
Bronze is an alloy (blend) of copper and tin and has a shiny, lustrous brown metallic appearance that is prone to tarnishing
(surface corrosion) to a dusty green patina with time. Bronze is generally quite smooth and may be contaminated with oils leading
to poor paint adhesion and reduced lifetime. Careful cleaning and thorough abrasion of the surface must be carried out prior to
painting to ensure maximum coating performance.

Surface Preparation Sheet

NON FERROUS METALS (Aluminiums / Alloys / Brass / Bronze / Copper )

Page No
1 of 3

SURFACE PREPARATION SHEET

NON FERROUS METALS (Aluminiums / Alloys / Brass / Bronze /

Copper )
Surface Preparation Code

PNF004

Surface Preparation
PNF004

NON FERROUS METAL SURFACES PREPARATION

New

DOMESTIC / RESIDENTIAL
ABRADE
Thoroughly abrade the non ferrous metal surface to establish a mechanical key by scouring the surface with a nylon
scouring pad, scotch-brite pad or power tool using a 50/50 mix of methylated spirits and water as a lubricant.
CLEAN
Clean the abraded surface using clean 50/50 mix of methylated spirits and water.
DRY
Wipe dry using a clean cloth and allow to dry completely.
PRIME
Apply a suitable primer over the entire area as soon as possible to reduce the risk of corrosion.
INDUSTRIAL
NEW NON-FERROUS METALS
1.Remove all surface contamination such as oil, grease or dirt by washing with an alkaline detergent and rinse with fresh
potable water. Refer to AS1627.1 Part 1.4.4 - 1.4.6.
2.Dry abrasive "brush blast" clean (whip blast) the surface using a non-metallic abrasive such as garnet. The abrasive
size and blast pressure shall be such that all oxidation products and other surface contaminants are completely removed
and that the surface is lightly profiled to provide a suitable key for adhesion of the coating system.
3.If the item being painted is not suitable for brush blasting (eg sheet metal or thin extrusions) then use non-metallic
abrasive sanding pads to remove any existing oxidation and provide a suitable key for coating adhesion. Note that this
preparation method is likely to be less effective than brush blasting and should only be used where brush blasting is not
suitable.
4.Remove all spent abrasive and residual dust by using dry compressed air or, preferably, vacuum cleaning prior to
application of the coating. Avoid handling abraded metal with bare hands.
5.Inspect the surface prior to coating to ensure no contamination is present and no surface defects exist.
6.If either contaminants or defects are present, rectification is required before any coating is applied.
7.Apply first or primer coat as soon as practical after preparation and before the surface oxidises or becomes recontaminated.

Surface Preparation Sheet

NON FERROUS METALS (Aluminiums / Alloys / Brass / Bronze / Copper )

Page No
2 of 3

SURFACE PREPARATION SHEET

NON FERROUS METALS (Aluminiums / Alloys / Brass / Bronze /

Copper )
Surface Preparation Code
Repaint

PNF004

NF-R PREPARATION OF PREVIOUSLY COATED NON FERROUS METAL SURFACES

ASSESS SUITABILITY
Inspect to determine the degree of deterioration of existing coatings.
CLEAN SURFACE
Degrease surface with an alkaline detergent and rinse with fresh potable water until free of residue. Repeat until the
surface is clean. Refer to relevant sections of AS1627.1 2003 Part 2.
CHECK ADHESION
Ensure that all coatings are tightly adhering to the substrate by crosshatch adhesion test as per AS 1580.408.4-1993:
Paints and related materials - Methods of test - Adhesion (cross-cut). If existing coating fails adhesion test, it must be
removed. The hard edges of any sound, remaining coatings must be feathered to remove visual ridges.
ABRADE SURFACE
Abrade surface to remove gloss and chalkiness, to achieve a smooth, even, sound surface and to provide a good key
for the new coating system. Dust off. Complete removal of heavy chalky buildup may require wire brush or power tool
cleaning back to sound paint layers before sanding.
PRIME
Spot prime any bare metal areas as soon as possible with the primer nominated in the Coating System section of this
specification.
Apply coating system before surface becomes recontaminated.

Disclaimer
Dulux and Other marks followed by are registered trademarks. Marks followed by the symbol of are trademarks.
The data provided within the Duspec system is correct at the time of publication, however it is the responsibility of those using this information to
check that it is current prior to specifying or using any of these coating systems.
DISCLAIMER: Any advice, recommendation, information, assistance or service provided by any of the divisions of Orica Consumer Products in
relation to goods manufactured by it or their use and application is given in good faith and is believed by Orica Consumer Products to be
appropriate and reliable. However, any advice, recommendation, information, assistance or service provided by Orica Consumer Products is
provided without liability or responsibility PROVIDED THAT the foregoing shall not exclude, limit, restrict or modify the right entitlements and
remedies conferred upon any person or the liabilities imposed upon Orica Consumer Products by any condition or warranty implied by
Commonwealth, State or Territory Act or ordinance void or prohibiting such exclusion limitation or modification. Coating systems can be expected to
perform as indicated on the Duspec Spec Sheet so long as applications and application procedures of the individual products are followed as
recommended on the appropriate Product data Sheet. "Orica" "Dulux" "Berger" "Berger
Gold Label" "Hadrian" "Walpamur" "Levene" "Acratex" and Other marks followed by are registered trademarks of Orica Australia Pty Ltd ABN 99
004 117 828. Marks followed by the symbol are trademarks.
Please note that this document is only valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
Orica Consumer Products 1970 Princes Highway Clayton, Victoria 3168 AU ABN 99 004 117 828

Surface Preparation Sheet

NON FERROUS METALS (Aluminiums / Alloys / Brass / Bronze / Copper )

Page No
3 of 3