Painting the firewall

[Svtfreak]

As everyone knows, our firewall are 3 pieces of aluminum. I want to paint mine. I’m getting differing techniques from my body shop owner friend and his guys and from the Ppg paint store. Even Ppg website has 2 different methods.

So, you guys that have done it, and it’s been a few years and it hasn’t peeled, how did you prep ain’t paint your firewall aluminum? Please start from as-delivered.

Thank you!

[Alan_C]

Some of the keys to getting paint to stick are first a clean surface and second some form of mechanical bite for the paint to adhere to. Use some kind of base, like a 2K epoxy, designed for direct to metal application. In your case something that is designed for DTM for aluminum. With more aluminum being used in production vehicles, finding a good 2K epoxy to do the job should not be difficult. Apply your color topcoat within the recoat window of the epoxy so that you don't have to scuff it. Always reference the material data sheets on the product used, saves a lot of headaches later.
For steel, a DA sander and 80 grit provides the mechanical bite for the paint to adhere. On the aluminum for my MK4, I used burgundy color Scotch Brite, cleaned, and applied Shark Hide. I liked the aluminum color just needed a sealer and protectant over it.

[FF33rod]

Well first of all I decided to do a brushed aluminum finish. Used emery cloth, a clear on top of that which a few people said would never last..... Had to pull the engine and mucked up the firewall so decided to paint it to match the frame. Used SprayMax 2K hot rod satin black Eastwood also sells the same product, works and matches well. For prep, I'm pretty sure I used 240 with the grain, long strokes. Lacquer thinner to clean and then the 2K. So far so good....


Steve

[Svtfreak]

Thanks y’all