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painting over diamond plate aluminum ?

8.5K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  RATRODKING  
#1 ·
guys,
on my nephews truck he wants me to paint over his shiny diamond plate aluminum bed rail covers, wants me to match paint them gloss black with a clear coat, automotive style paint.

can i just scuff up the aluminum and spray it, would i need to primer it first, or any special kind of etching primer ?

might even do it just rattle can style.

any help would be appreciated. thanks
 
#2 ·
Powder Coat will work better and last longer...
 
#3 ·
Yea powder coating would be best.
For painting you really need to scuff them good, most diamond plate useed like that has a clear coat and you'll need to make sure it's removed or it'll peel off with the paint.
After removing any clear coat scuff the metal untill its a dull grey them prime it then paint.
 
#7 ·
You need to use paint specialized for adhering to aluminum. Often you can use a specific primer and use normal paints.

I know you are not doing it, but the problem with powdercoating that consumers don't understand is that if it develops a crack or chip, which is easier to do than people think, the powdercoat traps moisture under it at the point of the defect and the metal deteriorates quite badly. You are better off with paint, not powdercoating. As long as you do proper surface preparation.
 
#8 ·
You need to use paint specialized for adhering to aluminum. Often you can use a specific primer and use normal paints.

I know you are not doing it, but the problem with powdercoating that consumers don't understand is that if it develops a crack or chip, which is easier to do than people think, the powdercoat traps moisture under it at the point of the defect and the metal deteriorates quite badly. You are better off with paint, not powdercoating. As long as you do proper surface preparation.

thanks for the info.... i called my local auto paint supply, and he suggested a rattle can primer for 7 dollars a can, then shoot over it with auto paint..... thats the route i will go, when my nephew gets the money to do this project.....
thanks again guys.