i just got a toll box of a friend that is diamond plate aluminum. he hasnt used it in a while and some way or another it has rust stains on it. i got alot of it off with a soap and a scratch pad, but still noticable around the ridges of the diamond plate. i would like to paint it body color or the same color as my bed. what is needed to paint aluminum with out it chipping real bad. if its to hard to keep it from chipping, what would be a good way to get the last of the rust off?

tia

 

if you paint it you are probably gonna need to score it pretty good to the paint to adhere good to the aluminum...

or you could get it powdercoated

 

dont have the money for powdercoating i figured id have to score it pretty good, but im wanting something different. im gonna do my bed caps also so if anyone has any other help ful tips, id appreciate it

 

any one? waniting to do it the same as the truck

 

Rather than trying to "score" the surfacce for good adhesion, why not use an etching primer?

 

Why not get it done in spray on bedliner mixed to match your paint

 

herculiner is cheap and nice looking.

 

I just sandblasted my plow and it got the surface readt for paint real quick and clean. Try that. Its not hard. Just get a cheap sand blaster, air comp, and about 150 to 200 pounds of fine sand from home depot. There like 3 bucks for 50 pound bag. Then prime and paint.

 

I agree with the bedliner idea. Last longer than any paint will and take more abuse. Drop a tool on paint or hit it with a 4 wheeler and paint is gone. Bedliner wont be bothered by everyday uses and mishaps.

 

the lid will be way heavy....you still have to scratch the surface for a liner to adhere.