Re: self-etching primer
try you rlocal NAPA auto parts (atleast here in Vegas) has automotive paint supplies (IE self etching primer in quart cans) which has a catylsyt....good stuff! and theres 10000 places online....even autozone might carry it
but if you prime with that you have to sand it...and then wipe down with degreaser/dewaxer...tack cloch wipe it....so the paint will stick....
for the most part paint WONT stick to aluminum...it will flake off etc....
Acid etching and rinsing with water, then using a spray bottle and applying
ALODINE.....(theres kits available) then you apply your paint finish to the alodined surface....its like a buffer between the aluminum and the paint....paint sticks to alodine and alodine sticks to aluminum
Either way painting aluminum can be some work....
Some of the guys on iboats have used Petit Easypoxy on thier tinnies....a couple had ok luck but most have had it come off and chip up super bad....not fun!
hers some tips from some websites on a google search
http://www.takeem.com/blinds/aluminum-paint.php
and heres something I pulled off a porsche forum (aluminium body panels)
my 79 was also repainted and after 2 years with a piece of masking tape on the hood to mark a dent it pulled the paint coating off to bare metal.
Once this happened it was easy to use a blade to scrape the rest of the paint off the hood and fenders.
Turns out they used a regular dark primer and top coated it, nothing done to aluminum as as we could see
When I repainted the car it got a chemical wash then alodine then lite coat of zinc chromate then 2 sanded layers of epoxy primer then 2 base coats then 3 coats of clear, the paint was fantastic once it was sanded and buffed
