Prime/paint aluminum

[b5blue]

  I've one of the funky rear window louvers for my 70 Charger and need tips for cleaning it up by stripping and priming then painting it?  Input from you Pro Paint guys would be appreciated!
  Now for the guys who want to gripe about me using it....start your own topic! The sun down here in FL. is brutal and I wanna try it!  (I've other things aluminum I wanna paint also.)

[ht4spd307]

I'd powder coat it that's how they do most aluminum security doors if that's an option

[b5blue]

Yea that would be "best" but not an option for me.  Guess I'll widen my online search. 

[tsmithae]

For aluminum I like to sandblast if possible. If I can't, I will strip, scuff with 80grit, and use epoxy primer.

[69 OUR/TEA]

After you strip/sand/clean it , def use a self etching primer ( PPG 1791 etch primer + 1792 etch primer catalyst , or the next best thing you can find in an etch primer ) . Then some kind of urethane primer surface ( PPG K36 would be a good option ) , wet sand out to 600 grit , then paint with whatever you want ( in this case a single stage hot rod black would be a nice way to go ) . To some this is expensive and a lot of work , but it will look great , and last a long time because you did it properly .
Remember you cannot use epoxy primer over etch , nor can you paint directly on top of etch , hence the proper steps in my  description .

[b5blue]

I see SEM has a well reviewed self etch in a rattle can.  I actually want it top coat with a kinda cast aluminum or grayish, black gets too hot in the sun.   

[JR]

Its been a while since I painted aluminum, so I cant offer any help there.

But do you have any pics of what the louvers look like installed?  Im just curious how they look on a 2nd gen.

[b5blue]

No but I will do later, they came just in black new. I want an alloy kinda color just for being a lighter color. 

[Cncguy]

Can you post a pic? I don't think I've ever seen them on a Charger.

[b5blue]

No pics installed, it's going to be awhile yet, working on seats. They look funky, a back in the day thing. The hinges were screwed into the roof, I've other ideas for mounting.