Posted 2009-10-05 12:30 PM (#111447) Subject: Painting the Aluminum roof
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Shelby N.C.
Has anyone tried to paint the aluminum roof and curved corners to stop the black streaks from getting on the trailer? I seems to me that this could be done and it would eliminate the black streaks. I'm sire it would take special prep and paint to cover the aluminum. Does anyone know anything about this?
Posted 2009-10-05 1:53 PM (#111450 - in reply to #111447) Subject: RE: Painting the Aluminum roof
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by cliffj59 on 2009-10-05 12:30 PM
Has anyone tried to paint the aluminum roof and curved corners to stop the black streaks from getting on the trailer? I seems to me that this could be done and it would eliminate the black streaks. I'm sire it would take special prep and paint to cover the aluminum. Does anyone know anything about this?
Cliff
Try and contact gard on this forum, he can tell you for sure what to use. My Sundowner has a painted top rail and corners and it looks sharp with NO black streaks at all.
Posted 2009-10-05 4:23 PM (#111456 - in reply to #111447) Subject: RE: Painting the Aluminum roof
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by cliffj59 on 2009-10-05 1:30 PM
Has anyone tried to paint the aluminum roof and curved corners to stop the black streaks from getting on the trailer? I seems to me that this could be done and it would eliminate the black streaks. I'm sire it would take special prep and paint to cover the aluminum. Does anyone know anything about this?[/QUOTE]
Painting aluminum is a viable option. However, most paints will have an adherence problem with this metal. The proper preparation is necessary for a good bond. It has to be absolutely cleaned of all greases, oils and contaminates. There are many paint surface preparations sold by most automotive paint distributors. They are solvents, and the roof will have to be meticulously cleaned with which ever one you choose.
If the roof is aged several years and has a rough texture, it can be lightly sanded with a random orbit sander and a fine grade of sandpaper. This will quickly smooth the surface of rough contaminates.
An acid based epoxy primer is next used to paint the aluminum. It will etch the metal and properly adhere to the bare aluminum. I like to use marine grade linear polyurethane epoxy finish paints. They have a high solids content, flow out to a high gloss and are very durable. Having said that, the new urethane automotive paints, single and dual part are also durable, maintain a good finish and have good UV protection. Either of these products can be used for the top coating, and will serve you well.
The materials are expensive and the work is labourious. The end result will be impressive. However, it may be easier to just clean the black streaks once in a while.
Painting the Aluminum roof
