Painting raw 6061 aluminum

I've made a few small brackets out of 6061 aluminum angle. I want to rattle can them to a pretty, durable finish.

Do I need to scuff to get good adhesion? What grit?

Am I compelled to prime before painting?

Thanks.

Sand with maybe 320 grit, self etching primer, then paint?

That would be my novice way to do it.

I've had very good luck over the years with a House of Kolor product called Adhereto, it a very thin, watery primer that sticks anything to anything.

Dan

I have had good results with Rustoleum. Just scuff it up good, wipe it down with mineral spirits first, then hit with the Rustoleum.

If the surface is clean, you should be fine. Do like the good doc says.

I usually just scotchbrite the aluminum before primer and paint.

scotchbrite, degrease, prime, paint.

Etch primer really helps.

I've been using this U-Pol etch for a few years and it's the best I've tried.

Light sanding, 0000 steel wool, painting with Krylon Fusion, and then clear coating worked fine for my custom mirror mounting plates made from 1/8" 6061 sheet:

^^ What he said. My build car is in an aviation business (lucky me, talk about inspiring) and this is the process they use.