Painting Diamond Plate?

[basscraiger]

Hi,

I posted this in the DIY forum too, figured it might get some views here as well...Anyone have experience with painting diamond plate? My stepson is giving me his old tool box for the truck bed and I'd like to paint it black to better match the truck.

I appreciate any feedback from the forum, thanks!

-Craig

 

[Quigs]

Powder coating is probably the best way to go. If you do paint I would sand blast first, sanding diamond plate would be a complete pain.

 

[WhiteExpress]

Sand blasting or a wire wheel and a LOT of patience would be best for prep.
The surface of diamond plate (especially tool boxes, which seem to have an extra pronounced 'diamond') is a pain to prep properly for painting!

I'd also use a good industrial paint (Tractor Supply Co stuff) not rattle can.

 

[Burla]

Dude, consider Monsta Liner? You can go flat black or any of around 100 colors, check it out. Diamondback bed covers use LineX as well. That tool box will hold up a lot better then painting it. All you have to do is clean and dry it, monsta will stick to anything, and is very forgivable. You can mess up paint jobs, you have to be a dork to mess up the monsta, it just doesn't happen.

 

[UNBROKEN]

I just washed mine real good with alumabrite. You can use any acid wash aluminum cleaner though. After that a good self etching primer, paint and clear.
No need to sandblast or anything crazy. The acid wash will clean it into the pores and you can grab a gallon at Home Depot.

 

[WhiteExpress]

I just washed mine real good with alumabrite. You can use any acid wash aluminum cleaner though. After that a good self etching primer, paint and clear.
No need to sandblast or anything crazy. The acid wash will clean it into the pores and you can grab a gallon at Home Depot.

Hadn't thought of that. I was thinking that most boxes I've seen come with a cheap clear coat over them.