can I paint a plated swing away jack?

[surveytech]

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to paint a swing away jack that looks to be zinc plated. I am concerned that any paint I apply will wind up chipping away because of the zinc plating. Obviously some sort of primer would be a good thing but not sure what to use.

Ultimately I would like to paint the jack with the same paint on the trailer frame which is Rustoleum black hammered enamel. I have both spray and brush on hand right now.

Has anyone done this successfully?
Or should I just leave it alone and live with the zinc plating.

Thanks!
Walter

[Chris C]

Oops! Double post!

[Chris C]

Give it some "tooth" by roughing it with sandpaper and prime it well with a primer designed to go over zinc. Then you should be able to paint over it.

[Bandit]

I did the same thing. All you need to do is scuff them up and paint with only the Hammerite paint. The Rustoleum does not need a primer.
This photo is before I painted, I used the Rustoleum Hammerite Green paint.

[SteveH]

Walter,

Are you sure it's zinc plated? Normally hitch parts are cadmium plated witch is much easier to get paint to stick to...basically, just prime and paint.

[surveytech]

Walter,

Are you sure it's zinc plated? Normally hitch parts are cadmium plated witch is much easier to get paint to stick to...basically, just prime and paint.

Steve,
No, not sure at all. It is plated but with what I dont know. I assumed (I know, never assume) that since its all shiny it was zinc plated.
It could be cad plated but I cant tell the difference. Is there a way?
Purchased the jack at Harbor Freight.
Thanks for the help.

Walter

[SteveH]

Walter,

Zinc, or galvanizing is usually dull, or will soon dull, and soft. Galvanizing is also usually rough surface, while cadmium plating is smooth surfaced, and harder. I would wager you have cadmium plating as it is a lot cheaper for the manufacturer. I would scatch it with a Scotchbrite pad and prime and paint.

[surveytech]

Steve,
It sounds like its cad plated to me. This sure isnt dull like galvanized. Its shiny.
Thanks for the heads up. I would have never thought about Cadmium plated stuff.

Learn something new everyday here. way cool.
Thanks Steve!