# Preparing rough metal for paint **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 9, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539 "2008-04-09T21:19:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/1 "2008-04-09T21:19:53Z")
First off, sorry mods…didn’t know if this belongs in Tech or Gen Auto…so i gave it my best guess 🙂 In the coming days, i’ll be removing my upper plenum to get some stuff done and just clean up a bit under the hood. It’s a filthy, somewhat-rough metal surface. I was planning on painting it with a high gloss black, but have no idea how to clean/prep/prime such a surface to ensure that the paint sticks and doesn’t start chipping away. I know just about any automotive store carries high gloss, high temp resistant enamels…any recommendations on a name brand? and what should i use to clean the surface first? should i bother sanding it since the purpose of sanding (i thought) is usually to get a rough surface, and this surface is already rough? what kind of primer should i use, and how many coats? and how many coats about of the enamel itself should i spray on, and how long should i wait between each coat? ---
**Author:** ![2TurboZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/2turboz/32/7577_2.png) [@2TurboZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/2TurboZ)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/2 "2008-04-09T22:54:54Z")
you are incapable of such work…just buy the paint and I will do it. ---
**Author:** ![Jim1234664](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jim1234664/32/7438_2.png) [@Jim1234664](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jim1234664)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/3 "2008-04-10T04:45:27Z")
600 grit on a small block where you can, otherwise a red scotchbrite for the hard to get to places. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 4:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/4 "2008-04-10T04:48:46Z")
sand blast it. ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/5 "2008-04-10T05:05:15Z")
powdercoat it. Long lasting, better wear resistance. Otherwise sandblast it. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 5:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/6 "2008-04-10T05:08:04Z")
you’d have to blast it to PC it anyway. But if you PC it, you need to tell the PCer to outgass it before applying the powder, as cast aluminum is porous, and surely has a lot of oil and grease in the metal. ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/7 "2008-04-10T05:09:25Z")
My point stands. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![articzap](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/articzap/32/7361_2.png) [@articzap](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/articzap)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 6:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/8 "2008-04-10T06:41:45Z")
Start with a real good soap and water bath. Then go at it with some degreaser. Rough up all surfaces with a red scuff pad. Then wash it. Tack it off and spray it. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 8:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/9 "2008-04-10T08:23:15Z")
… it all depends on what color you plan on painting it 😛 ---
**Author:** ![suzukiriderman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/suzukiriderman/32/7421_2.png) [@suzukiriderman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/suzukiriderman)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 8:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/10 "2008-04-10T08:26:23Z")
I can blast that really smooth for you. We use about 12 different medias depending on the application. I can get it how you want it. ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 8:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/11 "2008-04-10T08:32:32Z")
> [@Onyx Z32](#): > > … it all depends on what color you plan on painting it 😛 …and what finish you’re looking for. High gloss, you’re going to want it down pretty smooth, just a little tooth to it. ---
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/12 "2008-04-10T08:47:31Z")
first post states: “I was planning on painting it with a high gloss black” ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 8:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/preparing-rough-metal-for-paint/46539/13 "2008-04-10T08:49:25Z")
\<- :picard: