Hey guys, not sure if this thread belongs here or not but...

I want to remove and paint the aluminum headlight bezels that hold the headlights in place. I have no problem getting to them and taking them off, but I just wanted to know if there was any proper way to prepare and paint alluminum.

They'll be on the exterior of the vehicle so I want to make sure the paint doesn't chip or flake. Someone told me to use etching enamel, then paint the bezels, and bake them in my home oven but my source was unsure of the baking temp and length. Is this right? Can I do this with spray paint?

Oh yeah, I want to paint them flat black.

Any painting pros, your help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

Any help here?

 

Use a self-etching primer for sure. I would shoot with 2-3 coats of primer and then shoot the paint. This is what I did on my rims and have not seen one bit of flaking, peeling, etc... About the oven I am not so sure I just let mine dry the time it says on the can. post some pics when you are done! I am planning on painting those myself. Cheers

 

Did you sand your rims at all before painting? Remove tire? How did you prepare them?

 

I sanded them and was very careful. i did not take the tires off.

 

Definitely sand them if you can, otherwise the self-etching primer is an option. The most important thing is to remove the oxide layer that forms on the aluminum, because paint doesn't adhere to that and will end up chipping and\or losing adhesion.

 

Regarding the wheels...what grit sand paper am I'm looking for? Wha tkind of sanding pattern and how much do I sand? ie., circular sanding pattern? sand the OE paint ocompletely off?

When I'm done sanding, do I still use the etching enamel?

If I decide to powdercoat in the future, will this inhibit that up for me?