Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

What I’m thinking is adding black detailing like the classic kit lines which would mean I need to paint the aluminum trim. Is there anything special that needs to be done in order to paint the trim? The body of the TD we’ve been painting with latex enamel.
I added some black via paint shop (I can’t do it very well) to my photo for the general idea of where the black would go on the side.
When I actually start thinking about exactly how I'm going to do something, there are always some more small details to figure out.
Thanks, Martha

I'm sure the experts will chime in, but I believe that you have to use some kind of 'acid wash' before you can paint aluminum. I also believe that PPG makes a new paint that you do not have to do the acid wash first. You probably would have to check with an automotive paint supply store to find out about the PPG.

No problem Martha... Just use "Bulldog Adhesion Promoter" first. It comes in a rattle can as well as gallons. This stuff is GOOD! You can paint darn near anything using this as a bonding agent: glass, plastic, chrome, aluminum, galvanized and more.

Here is a pdf of their catalog: wmbarr

Any good auto paint supplier should have it. The spray cans cost about $16. and will cover about 6 sq. ft.

Or you can get it here even cheaper: bull dog adhes.

You can use a Zinc Chromate primer on aluminum.

I would "scuff" the trim to give it some bite and then use either the Bulldog(which is clear) or other aappropriate Al primer and then just paint away...an auto paint (black and/or clearcoat) with UV inhibitors would be my choice in paint.....
madjack

You need to use and acid wash on aluminum, but even common safe acids such as lemon juice, vinegar, and boric acid can be used. The reason you need and acid wash is to etch the surface before painting if you don't the paint will peel right off with time. All you have to do with which ever acid you chose is to clean the aluminum first then wipe the acid on wait 5 mins or so then wipe off and paint immediately.

Dan

Thank you to toypusher, podunkfla, asianflava, madjack & cutterpup for your answers. I'll be on the look out for the products and when I get it painted I'll post as to how it goes.
First we're trying to get the most necessary things done so we can go to the dam gathering. The black paint will have to wait a little, which will be better, having more time and doing it right.
What would I do without the experts on the board. Thanks!:thumbsup:
Martha

martha24 wrote:Thank you to toypusher, podunkfla, asianflava, madjack & cutterpup for your answers. I'll be on the look out for the products and when I get it painted I'll post as to how it goes.
First we're trying to get the most necessary things done so we can go to the dam gathering. The black paint will have to wait a little, which will be better, having more time and doing it right.
What would I do without the experts on the board. Thanks!:thumbsup:
Martha

One last bit of information I have found... It seems the military, NASA, and commercial aircraft industry use a product called Alodine. I have no experience with it, but what I am reading makes it sound pretty good...

Here is where I googled it:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Al ... gle+Search

and where I got the lead:
http://www.ronjoseph.com/Q&A/B2001_pain ... uminum.htm

Podunkfla wrote:One last bit of information I have found... It seems the military, NASA, and commercial aircraft industry use a product called Alodine. I have no experience with it, but what I am reading makes it sound pretty good...

Here is where I googled it:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Al ... gle+Search

and where I got the lead:
http://www.ronjoseph.com/Q&A/B2001_pain ... uminum.htm

Yes, I used to alodine parts all day. It is like a pre primer prep, similar to anodizing but it is purely chemical and not a electro chemical process like anodizing. Part of the process includes an etchant step (like cutterpup suggested) then it is dunked into a vat of alodine. Sometimes, we would sand the panels so that the etchant would work better (like Madjack suggested) When it comes out, it will have a light golden color. On top we used either an epoxy primer or a zinc chromate primer. Some people used a self etching primer but I olny remember using that on steel parts. After that is the topcoat of paint. Oh we would also wipe the parts down with laquer thinner before we started to remove any oil from the machining process.

Granted we were painting things for the military so some things were extreme for everyday people. For normal people, I'd say wipe it down with solvent, scuff it with scotchbrite (don't use steel wool or sandpaper that was previously used on steel) hit it with a good primer, then topcoat it. It should last you long enough for your purposes.