Painting aluminum toolbox

So I'm wanting to paint my UWS toolbox black. Now I'm aware that paint doesn't really like to stick to aluminum. I'm not too worried about it getting scratched up alot because I normally don't have heavy duty stuff in my bed alot or coming in and out of my toolbox. If I do I'm always careful about it. But anyway here are the steps I'm gonna take...

Clean with dishwashing detergent and red scotch bright pad
Degrease with simple grean
Oil based primer (guy at lowes recommended rustoleum rusty metal primer)
Rustoleum gloss enamel
Enamel gloss clearcoat

I'm gonna be using an air compressor and spray gun. My first project with it I'm excited to try it out. What do you guys think does this sound good? Any input/suggestions welome!

 

You prob know this already, but be sure to scuff it up really well with fine grit sandpaper before priming (so the primer can get a good "grip").

 

Does the red scotchbrite pad not take care of that? Or should I go over it again with something else

 

Hmm. I've never used a scotchbrite for that purpose. I guess I can't say. Sorry! I've just always used fine grit sandpaper.

If it scuffs up the surface, I suppose you're good?

 

Well I've done a bit of research everyone says to get specifically a red scotchbrite pad to scuff up unfinished metal for primer. Don't know what's so special about it and it's impossible to find for some reason but it must work miracles!

 

To get the best adhesion you will want to wet sand it with some 220 grit sand paper before you prime. Also last steps before you prime should be to wipe it down with rubbing alcohol or acetone, then rub it down with a tack cloth. You may want to wet sand it between coats as well, depend how good you want it to look though.

 

Check out Eastwood.com for supplies. They have the scotch pad which is what I used in the past for anything I have painted on my truck. Of all the products I used on the site, have not had any issues with them.

 

Interested in results. Post pictures when you get it done please . Have a great big UWS in my truck. Wanted black, silver was on sale.

 

Might just do that. Aren't you supposed to let the sandpaper in water over night before doing or something like that? Never wet sanded before

Okay thanks I'll check them out

Definitely I will. Hoping to get around to it next week. I have a big profile one too and the one part I'm concerned about is I have the top rails that go around the lid so that might be a little tricky to paint

 

Mine is very big.

 

Not really necessary to soak it overnight just make sure you're using wetordry type sand paper.

 

Oh wow yes that is pretty damn big

 

cough cough, uhm, well thank you.

 

Got primer on today guys. Stuck well with no bubbling. Waiting for tomorrow to apply the first coat. Talked to someone at sherwin Williams and they said no need for the clear coat. The rustoleum enamel I got is some strong stuff if painted right. I'll get a pic tomorrow of it primed, first coat, and everything I used for those wanted to do this themselves.

 

Pics? Would like to see the end result.

 

Aluminum tool boxes are hard to get paint to stick to or even be durable. You need rough surface and multiple top / color coats. Read the directions on the primer and the color and it will tell you the best time to re coat. There is a time period that the paint will take more coats best, waiting till it's completely cured it will need to be re sanded to take proper adhesion