Tim Shoppa wrote:
I've got an aluminum panel (front of a very fancy instrument) that I
want to re-paint. Current paint is pretty shabby, but then again it's
from 40 years ago. I'm sure I can get the old paint off (between
strippers and sanding) but what's the next step?

What's a good pre-painting etch for aluminum? I've used
phosphate-based etches before but something tells me that this isn't
the best thing for aluminum.

And after the etch, I'm probably limited to cans of spray paint.
Although going to an automotive paint shop and asking them to load a
paint can for me is a possibility, I don't walk in without a clue as to
what I want to buy. OTOH if I can buy it off the shelf then that's
great too.

I can bake the panel after painting, in my past experience (with
discount-store brands of spray paint) this makes a big difference in
durability.

So any advice before I walk in the paint store and make a fool of
myself?

Tim.

Degrease, irridite (alodine), prime, paint.