The Dish Is Down !!!

[JFOK]

Hi All,

Since my dish is now down, I'm able to inspect in closely and I notice that the paint around the edge of the dish has flaked off in some areas. Don't know if this is a result of 16 years of Cape Cod weather, or a result of its less than graceful, fall last week. In any case, I'd like to touch up these areas so the aluminum isn't exposed to weather. What do you recommend for paint and should I just repaint the entire dish while the weather allows ?
I know a flat finish paint is recommended, but what else should I be aware of ?

John

 

[FaT Air]

Just clean the areas that are to be painted and any quality brand 'rattle can' paint should suffice. I'd use a fine steel wool and give it a rub. Then wipe down with a metal prep. Aluminum mesh is hard, almost futile, to clean so the rattle can spray may only last a year there..
Denatured alcohol works as 'prep' for aluminum if 'real' isn't locally available.

 

[Cosmo Blatz]

I used satin black 'tractor enamel' applied with a 6" fuzzy nap roller on a roller extension pole. Goes quick and wastes very little paint. A brush was used on the edges and hard to get at sections. If a 'real' extension isn't available, the roller extension pole can be just a piece of conduit and some duct tape. You can even tape the brush to the extension pole to get the really tough areas. Need to make sure not to apply the paint too thickly or some of the mesh holes will plug with paint. Whichever way you do it - have fun!

 

[JFOK]

Cosmo and FaT Air,

Thanks for the suggestions.
The original dish color was dark gray, but I just might paint it black.