What kind of paint should I use to refinish a aluminum carousel horse?

After painting aluminum for 30 years, I can tell you that the only thing tougher to get paint to stick to is glass. Everything with aluminum depends on the primer. You probably can't get strontium chromate because it is carcinogenic. You will probably have to use zinc chromate. Either primer will be mixed with an acid, usually phosphoric acid. If you can find a chrome conversion coating called Alodine, it has an excellent performance record. The simple way to do this is to find a local aircraft maintenance facility to put on a primer and a base coat. You have to put a base coat over the primer to keep the primer from absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. The aircraft people might have a suitable paint booth. Call around. Most suppliers are glad to help. But painters know what works. If an aircraft facility is not available, clean the metal. Do not sand blast it. Blasting only impinges the crud. Use a citrus based cleaner so that it doesn't negate the zinc chromate acid component. ...  more