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View Full Version : Aluminush mesh grille paint options?



R/T44
11-16-2014, 01:40 PM
I bought some mesh grille inserts for my Dakota from a guy off this site and I want to paint them black! I'm pretty sure they're aluminum buty question is what can I prime and paint them with that will hold up and not flake?

ScojoDak
11-16-2014, 01:49 PM
A quality primer and paint should do you fine. Just go easy when cleaning due to the sharp edges on the mesh.

66shelby
11-16-2014, 02:24 PM
You need an etch primer. Paint will not stick to bare metal.

R/T44
11-16-2014, 02:25 PM
Etch primer can be bought where exactly?

66shelby
11-16-2014, 02:28 PM
If you want to go cheap you can go to any auto parts store and buy it in a spray can. It's usually a green color. Will say etch primer or something close. I'm sure duplicolor makes it. You want to spray a light coat on it. Not going to cover the entire grille insert. You will want to be able to see through the paint. Believe you should wait 15 minutes before topcoat. Then you can put primer over that or your paint.

R/T44
11-16-2014, 02:34 PM
Okay awesome thanks! Hopefully I can get em done today

karlmagnum
11-17-2014, 05:37 AM
SEM self etching primer is a good choice. I use it on aluminum pieces. It dries quickly and produces a nice even finish.

Steve '02CC
11-17-2014, 06:32 AM
From what i have read, aluminum is virtually impossible to paint outside of professional setups because the aluminum needs to be bare and bare aluminum oxidizes virtually instantaneously and the paint doesn't have a good adhesion to the metal.

I have an aluminum part of my tonneau cover that was scratched up, so instead of painting it I had it powder coated.

9t9-5.2
11-17-2014, 01:48 PM
I have painted several sets of aluminum wheels, once I strip and clean, I epoxy prime them then paint, has been working great for me.

spence340
11-22-2014, 02:02 AM
How about good old plasti-dip?

Steve '02CC
11-22-2014, 04:40 AM
How about good old plasti-dip?

That would be a nice option try out black, but black would make them basically disappear visually. What's wrong with good old fashioned untouched aluminum?

R/T44
11-22-2014, 05:09 PM
Plastidip is not glossy and you can see my mesh grille just fine lol

stealthRT
11-24-2014, 11:18 PM
I painted my brushed aluminum street scene grill inserts flat black and just scuffed them lightly with a red scotch bright used etch primer like others have said and painted right over top of that and the paint adhered fine.