Painting Diamond Plate?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm looking to make a custom skid plate for my 03 4runner out of diamond plate. I'm going to have standard aluminum diamond plate, but I'd really like to paint it black. Any suggestions on how to prep it so the paint will stick? Also, would I be better off using regular spray paint in several thin layers (possibly followed by a few coats of spray on clear coat), undercoating, or something like the Herculiner roll on bed liner coating? I realize any of this won't hold up with abuse, but it's mainly for looks and won't be abused. Thanks for any input!

 

[eskimochaos]

I'm looking to make a custom skid plate for my 03 4runner out of diamond plate. I'm going to have standard aluminum diamond plate, but I'd really like to paint it black. Any suggestions on how to prep it so the paint will stick? Also, would I be better off using regular spray paint in several thin layers (possibly followed by a few coats of spray on clear coat), undercoating, or something like the Herculiner roll on bed liner coating? I realize any of this won't hold up with abuse, but it's mainly for looks and won't be abused. Thanks for any input!

Sand it as the only diamond plate I have seen is chrome. Keep in mind it will chip and very easily from only road debris.

Perhaps powder coat it.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I say sand blast it and use the Herculiner or Dupli-color bedliner spray. I love bedliner spray. It's good for so many things and it is very easy to touch-up. (You've seen pics of Chaz's correct? He made a nice one.)


For me it's on the top ten list with duct tape and a big a** hammer.:reddance:

 

[offshorebear]

Its probably be going to get scratched and nicked very quickly. Whatever you do, make sure its easy to touch up. I might just use rustoleum or something else easy to find.

 

[JAC]

Check with chaz...his look awesome and its homemade...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I have spoken with Chaz and he gave me the idea. Mine will be similar if not identical to his. I have to give Chaz the credit for the idea. On my black 4runner, I just don't want the polished diamond plate. They make a black diamond plate, but from what I've seen it's nearly impossible to get a sheet of (or if possible very highly priced). I looked into powdercoating, but the local shop said they charge a minimum $100 fee and wouldn't garuntee it to hold up. This is what I want, but it's $100 for a sheet large enough to make the plate and it's only .045" thick, which isn't near enough (I'm going to use .125").

 

[chaz]

if you get polished aluminum, dont sand it! the polishing got rid of any scratches already, & you dont want to add anymore,clean with something like rubbing alcohol, & maybe but not needed, very,very fine steel wool use gloves so no oil from your hands gets on it, then use BULLDOG adhesive promoter if you want. lastly paint with high heat paint, (the stuff for grilles, it seems to last & is fairly tough) or like cj3flyer said, spray on bedliner, (roll on sometimes leaves lines) its not so much what you use but like offshorebear said, it will get chipped & need touching up from time to time. personally, id suggest spray bed liner, its thinner than roll on, slightly textured, tough, & can be touched up easily. i always keep a can handy for my black stuff cause no matter what you do, they will get chipped scratched from stones, etc. if ya want shine, use a clear coat, again keep a can handy for chips. goodluck on whatever you decide to do.