Spray painting the exterior of our aluminum sided camper

[MJ Ross]

My husband and I are restoring what we're pretty sure is a 1969 Rolls Royal, Capri 14.  We stripped it down inside to the frame.  Painted it and put in new floors.  Then we replaced almost all of the "bones" on the inside and hopefully sealed all the inside seams with flex-seal.  Now we're getting ready to power wash the outside to see if it leaks!

Our current problem and puzzlement?  We'd prefer to use our Wagner sprayer to paint it, but haven't found the right primer and paint.  We considered automotive, but it's very pricey.  We've done a lot of research (Google) and talking to paint store and home improvement people, but have come away scratching our heads.  Can anyone out there help us, please?

[Debra Van Briesen]

I just read about someone who used exterior oil based enamel with a sprayer. Thin it according to paint directions on can. Their accents were done w exterior enamel spray paint right out of the can.

[MJ Ross]

Thanks.  Did they happen to mention what primer they used?

[chris gordon]

I recently  painted a camping trailer similar in size and type as the one you pictured.  Aluminum that is bare needs to be primed with self etching primer. On my camper I first wire brushed the entire camper to remove any possible loose paint.  It had been painted over the original paint.  After masking, I wiped down the entire camper with lacquer thinner. I used Rust olium self etching primer, giving it two coats.  Since its final top coat I have used a 1900 psi pressure washer close up and the paint held on with no problems. You may want to talk to a paint expert at an auto body shop.  I did but the primer they suggested cost more than I wanted to pay.  After all it's an old camper not a

60s Corvette.