who has had luck painting their aluminum trailer?

[kennyrayandersen]

After doing alot of thinking I've decided to just put it all together clean and prep and paint. With painting I've done my share of it but spending time cleaning and polishing aluminum has definately made my mind up for me. If it was a one time thing i would be fine with that but it sounds like alot of upkeep. I'll just have to be an admirer of all your shiny aluminum trailers.
Thanks for everyone's help and info.

just remember even with paint there will be a process and aluminum oxidizes quickly (that's why it looks dull without some effort) so there is usually a chemical etch befor paint -- I'm sure there is a lot of info on the web, and even here if you search on it with regard to painting aluminum. If you do it right the first time, you don't have to do it again!

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Bronco,
I'd go with a product called BullDog.
It promotes adhesion for paint applied to aluminum.

[doug hodder]

You can do any sort of a random pattern in your aluminum prior to painting. The advantage is that it will hide scratches, help conceal future dents, dings and is less reflective than a high polish aluminum etc... In my case I did a random pattern with a sander and 320 grit, applied Bulldog an adhesion promoter, and then cleared it with a shot of gold pearl in the clear. This will stop corrosion or any staining on the aluminum. Dan Hazard has done a machined look to his as have some others. Gives you a different aluminum look that is protected..

For straight painting, I'd scuff it, shoot an etching or an epoxy primer and spray whatever paint system over it as long as it's compatible with the primer. Make sure you wipe it all down well with some sort of a de-greasing agent prior to painting. Even fingerprints can cause things not to bond. Doug

[NCrado]

I've been thinking of this to. I work in a bodyshop ,so,automotive paint is no problem.and I can even bake it it on. I think when mine starts turning bad, I'll brush it for a while,and maybe paint later on down the line.I dread taping up those flame stripes!!

[bronco]

When i checked out the paint store nearby one of the first things i saw was the bulldog products. They had alot of suppplies and seemed really helpful so i think i'll be in good shape when it comes time to paint.