Primer for aluminum

[nasty72nova]

I'm painting a custom panel for a friend and I need to know if I can use normal automotive(k36,k38,DPLF) primers or do I need to use a special primer for aluminum. Also any suggestions for a flat/matte black top coat paint with hardener?

[minendrews68]

I always used a self etching primer, DuPont makes one for aluminum that's self etching. I'm sure others do too.

[mikey]

Definitely use the self etch primer first

[nasty72nova]

Thanks guys

[astroracer]

Dupont Vari-Prime. I have also used Rustoleum's Zinc Chromate primer with good results.
Mark

[jlcustomz]

I had a few bubbles come up in my aluminum bedcover after painting it. I used self etching primer where I didn't have bodyfiller applied. Not sure where I went wrong on mine..

The local (GOOD) Maaco near my work fixes ALOT of aluminum mail trucks. They just use the typical Nason 2k primers & paints, nothing special. A manager there did tell me being perfectly clean is really important before spraying. Being my project was kinda large & not all done at one time, it may have been contamination. Aluminum has invisible corrosion almost immediately after being sanded, besides what you do see develop.

[mikey]

Also don't intermix sandpaper if you use it on steel first and vice versa it'll transfer the steel to the aluminum and start cathodic corrosion. Technically you should have a totally separate set of tools for aluminum. Some of the high end car manufacturers are requesting that you have a completely separate shop for aluminum repairs.

[nasty72nova]

Wow that's crazy!! Thanks guys

[Aluminum]

Sorry for that, i have no idea. Aluminum repair is my work.