New Trainline45 bridges - any reviews yet?

[Ian Powell]

Hi Ian,
My utility is stocked with a job lot of Wickes "L" aluminium ready for a self build. Does it wear ok outside or does it oxidise? Has anybody any experience of painting aluminium? I 'm not sure whether the paint will last on aluminium but more than happy to be told otherwise..

Yep. Mine has worn quite well for last 8 years. Being over the pond it has turned a bit greenish. I shy away from painting ally. If it should peel, it is a mess to clean up. I can only speak from experience and may have been my own bad preparation.

 

[Andrew Foster]

When I started building bridges, I called the manufacturer of the primer that I wanted to use and asked about surface preparation. He told me, strictly off the record (so I can't quote him verbatim here), to use a certain well known, old brand name laundry detergent. He said it's so vicious that it starts to attack the oxide layer on the aluminium, so you wash it, rinse it, dry it thoroughly (I use compressed air) and get the primer on as quickly as possible. (He also said you shouldn't wash your clothes in it...) This stuff is so aggressive that it may not be for sale everywhere any longer, but I was still able to get it a few months ago. So far, I haven't had any paint adhesion problems.

Andrew

 

[Rhinochugger]

Mine is bare aluminium with stainless steel self tappers and some bright zinc nuts and bolts wot have gone rusty.

The aluminium sections were intended for greenhouses.

It's been outside for a about 5 years.

 

[bazzer42]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the tips and pictures - I think I'll go naked and see how it wears. If it can go 5 years and look good it will have been cost effective. Must order some stainless steel screws. Anybody used precision technologies in Sussex? Good service and fair prices (if you pick the right sizes).

 

[Rhinochugger]

Hi guys,

Anybody used precision technologies in Sussex? Good service and fair prices (if you pick the right sizes).

Nah, mine were left over from an Argos steel shed

 

[Woderwick]

In response to a complaint about the amount of " why dont you try this replies"

The original question was for information on Trainline bridges. Can we try an help the thread author please.

Thank you and please dont shoot the messenger.

 

[bazzer42]

Point taken. I'll shut up and keep out.

 

[stockers]

I think the point is that the Trainline answers had dried up. Thread drift is normal when a threads initial topic has been done to death.

 

[Willem WDLS]

Bridge in place.