   Building an aluminum amp enclosure
  I''m going to build a rackmount enclosure for my DIY audio amp. I''ve got some simple plans drawn out and I''ll pick some aluminum and other hardware at the store later this week. I''m still trying to figgure out how I''m going to paint it though. Idealy I''d like a black "powder" finish but I''m not sure how to go about this or if it''s even worth the effort if there''s lots involved. If I were just to spray paint it, what would I have to do to the metal before painting? Are there any special primers I should put on before the generic black spraypaint, and is there anyhthing I''ll have to put over it?Thanks 
  When painting aluminium, make sure you have a dry surface first of all, rug it up with something also, can''t hurt.Yeah, if you use some kind of primer before the actual paint go on it will at least last longer, and perhaps you''d like some nice finish with a clear coat (don''t know the english phrase, but just a protection coat). See next section about asking the clerk As for the "powder", I don''t know, but just ask in the store where you''ll get your paint, I''m sure they''re happy to help out, try to be specific of what you want, I''m sure they know how to do it.When you do the actual spraying, make REAL thin layers of paint, you can NOT cover the whole surface at first run, the less paint per coat and the more coats you put on, the better it will look. The worst thing that can happend is that you make it drip or something, and it''s hard to fix too. Imagine being on your 5th coat and you screw up... icky! ... Final hint - make a sample to try out on first, always works the better.Albert "thec" Sandberg - your average craftsman 