Paint Konica Auto S3 ( anodized aluminium )

[ISO]

I am thinking about to paint my Konica Auto S3, since it has some ugly scratches on the top plate. The body is anodized aluminium and I was wondering, if anybody knows how you can paint on this. Would usual metal paint work /stick on this surface?

A olive S3 could be nice, like the Canonet here.

http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tomys800/sub4.html

For the paint I found:

Tamiya AS-6 Olive Drab (USAAF) - 100ml Spray Paint

Would this spray work here ?

How should I prepare the surface ?

thanks.

 

[radiocemetery]

ISO,
My inclination is that painting an anodized surface may not be successful. Try shooting a piece of anodized aluminum first to check the results. For that matter you could even try the paint on the top or bottom plate of your Konica. If it doesn't work you aren't out anything as the paint could be removed without too much trouble if it won't stick. I sanded off an anodized finish on some parts once to get a different finish. That works, but it is kind of slow going by hand. The anodized layer on aluminum is aluminum oxide which is very hard, a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale of 10. Bare aluminum will take paint well, but prime the surface first. The Tamiya paint is most likely an enamel and should work well. I find that the paints marketed by the model manufacturers are easier to control for small surfaces. Some spray cans put out too much paint too fast for small objects and the tendency is to apply too much paint. The model paints spray at a lower and slower volume. Others may have experience painting over an anodized surface who could add some insight. Good luck on your project.
Steve

 

[shadowfox]

Now that's a cool link. Thanks, ISO.

 

[erikhaugsby]

And as in the last handful of really cool web pages,
I wish I could read Japanese!