Re: Painting Question
OK. after you take it to bare metal, you need to spray it with self-etching primer (avail at any auto paint store) within a day or so, before the aluminum oxide starts to form on the freshly clean metal. this is the first step no matter what type of topcoat you decide to use. this will be a deal where you have to mix the paint, hardener and reducer and spray it in a gun. you can get the stuff in spray cans too but you'll go broke at $9-12 /can if you have to do much area. remember that you only need a fine tinting or dusting for this coat, it's just to promote adhesion.
for top coat, the consensusi'm seeing around here is to either go with industroRusto with hardener (enamel, can be brushed/rolled/sprayed) or full-on 2-part marine epoxy from West etc (must be sprayed, need full protective gear). latter will give nicer job and last longer, but the rustoleum can come out looking great if you prep surface right and spray carefully.
this is just a very brief overview. i STRONGLY suggest that you read some of the full-resto threads for more details on painting.
