Side vent prep question

[mmklaxer]

I haven't decided if I'm going to paint or powder coat the side vents, nor have I decided on a color. Decisions, decisions. Question is: if I plan to paint it the same as the body, does it need any prep in advance since it's aluminum vs fiberglass? Asked another way, should I powder coat them first, so the paint has something to adhere to?

I'm basing this question off the struggles I've seen with painting bare aluminum.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Powder on aluminum is a good substrate, otherwise shoot them with an etching primer.

Jeff

[steno]

What Jeff said!

[CraigS]

I used this on mine.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rust-Oleum-Stops-Rust-Flat-Gray-Spray-Primer-Actual-Net-Contents-12-oz/3728805?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-bng-_-LIA_PNT_000_Paint-Catch-All-_-3728805-_-Online-_-0-_-0&msclkid=c6c88a490b0d12dd4992ee02c81bf51d&gclid=c6c88a490b0d12dd4992ee02c81bf51d&gclsrc=3p.ds
My car was silver so I painted the vents w/ this.
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/hammered-spray
I love this paint. Do 3 coats pretty quickly, next coat as soon as first is tacky. Last coat as thick as you dare. Lay it down flat which will reduce probability of runs. It dries quickly and you end up w/ a very durable finish.