tool box paint *HELP*

Buying a good chrome tool box from a friend for $75 too good of a deal to pass up, but I want to paint it black. What's the best. Thing to use that won't peel, fade, ect.

 

Spray paint typically works pretty well.

 

It is difficult to get paint to stick to that diamond plate without roughing up the surface. Problem is, you cant do it with sandpaper due to all of those raised diamonds. Ideal solution would be to sandblast first, then primer, then paint. If you dont have access to a sandblaster, bedliner may be your best choice.

 

This is how we did it 30 years ago. Wash it thoroughly with a degreasing cleaner and rinse. Apply an acid etching solution made for aluminum and rinse. Then apply a good industrial paint or primer and paint system with a spray gun. Next level down in durability is to use an etching primer made for aluminum and apply a good industrial paint or primer and paint system with a spray gun. The lowest level of durability will be to use a rattle can etching primer and a rattle can finish coat. Try Google for the final answer. Answers to painting questions here on TW are generally full of bad information.

 

^^ What he said. Your box isn't chrome, it's aluminum, so it needs etched for paint to adhere well. Or pay to have it powder-coated.

 

http://www.por15.com/

 

Just occurred to me that there may be a coating on that polished aluminum to keep it shiny. Not knowing what they material might be (or even if there is a protective costing), I personally would have it soda blasted before etch and paint.

 

You could probably get that thing powder coated for $50 or $75. Probably a better idea than trying to get a durable paint finish.

 

I have the same issue with mine, though its for sale now that I have a topper. If you plan on keeping it I would recommend the powder coating route.

12Tac

 

I'm pretty sure aluminum is coated, but I thought etching would remove the coating. I don't know that for sure.

If it could be powder-coated for 50-75 that might be the way to go, cost wise.

OP, I have 2 black side boxes on my truck. They get damned hot in the summer. Don't leave any electronic test equipment in them. Ask me how I learned that last summer.

 

For what it's worth, I plasti-dipped mine and it has held up great. No roughing or prep required. Just spray several coats on and let it dry. I also use a heat gun on each layer to bake it on.

 

For mine I masked the levers and logo. Used scotch brite pads to rough up the surface, rustolem self etching primer and rustolem flat black.
This picture is the most recent picture taken on January 9th 2016. I bought and painted it in July 2015 it gets used alot, stuff thrown on it or stacked on it, taken off, ect., but I'd say its about in the same shape as my friends tool box that came black. Mine still looks good to me and I can always repaint it.