Re: ATM Blackening Alluminum poles

["Bill T." <twentiethwave@hotmail.com>]

> is there a better way to blacken anodized alluminum poles besides painting
> them?

Yes, paint them *and let them dry at least a month*!  Contrary to what it
says on the labels, paint on metal takes at least a month to reach maximum
hardness.  I have several sets of painted truss tubes that bang against each
in transport, with no problems.  Tubes should be lightly sanded and cleaned
with Acetone before painting.  ColorWorks Krylon Appliance Epoxy works well
without primer on well prepared Aluminum, so do most others -- just give it
time to dry.  "Plastic" sanding pads like Scotch Ultrabright work especially
well for preparing metal.

Bill T.