How To Paint Aluminum?

[lincpimp]

The best thing to paint al is to get it very clean, lightly sand it (400grit) and apply some zinc chromate etching primer. You can get it in spray cans for easy usage. It is thin primer, so it just coats the metal and etchs into it. After it drys, scuff it with a red scuff pad (scotchbrite - 3m name) and apply some decent enamel paint. I like spray paint for engine blocks, dries hard and shiny. Not sure what color you want, most auto parts stores have a selection.

You may have to look around for the zinc chromate primer, but it is available.

Not sure if i would use a clear coat over the enamel, it dries very shiny if applied properly, use light coats and warm the can in a bown of warm warter before you spray. And shake well!