Painting an Aluminum sided RV

[Bobsbeatter]

I'm dreaming about painting the TT to match my van. Does anybody here have experience painting the aluminum siding? What method and type of paint was used?

Thanks.

[ronspradley]

In the early 90's I re-painted the 1960 Mobil Scout canned ham that I got from my granddad. He had painted it with house paint and brush. After weeks of sanding to get the surface smooth, I used auto primer and paint. Acrylic enamel paint. The supply house where I got the paint recommended the type of cleaner/etcher that is used for prepairing bare aluminum for primer. I do not remember now what it is called but even for steel there is a liquid that is used to do a final clean before primer, to remove any remaining wax or oils. I matched the paint on the tt with the 1977 GMC van that I was pulling the tt with. I do not know the numbers but I called it brown and tan. Looked much better than the red and white house paint. Hope this helps.

ronspradley

[slickest1]

I think you will need an aluminum primer. That's what I was told once, but I have used just regular paint(rust paint) on an aluminum boat and it held up pretty good.

[sc3283]

Zinc oxide primer is what is needed for paint to adhere to aluminum

Dupont's brand is Variprime....GREAT stuff but NASTY stuff....has etching acid in the mix...a respirator is needed or you will be coughing blood and or have a bloody nose

[Mr_D]

Good automotive paints are running $175 per QT., so it won't be cheap.