I have an older 3/4/5/6 chanel alpine that i am installing for a customer.
It is a little scratched up and I want to paint it before installing it.
What kind of paint should I use?

 

I'd use a good sccratch and hole primer (spray can high build primer) then any enamel in any colour you want.

I'd also try to strip the old paint off first.

 

That's what I did with my amps. They look better then they did when they were new!

 

the high build primer is definately the way to go.
if you know this amp tends to run hotter and if you are planning on doing black then I'd recommend BBQ paint.. high temp and a very tough paint. I think it may come in other colours as well...

 

Id strip the old paint and use 2 coats of high heat enamal.. (ie engine or bbq paint)

I don't like the idea of using primers because they will hold in heat (although it might be moot ?)

 

If the tops of the fins are all that are scratched up I would sand and polish them

Sanding block with 120, then 240, then 360grit and they will shine.

I figure, you'd have to sand it first anyway..

 

I repainted my 3545's with scratch and fill primer from Can Tire and then with Krylon satin black. I sanded them down first though and filled the gouges in the aluminum with some filler. I tried getting back to bare aluminum and did so in most of the spots. The primer when sprayed at about 12" away from the surface gives a nice pebble texture. My first 3545 after repainting:



One thing I'd suggest though is when using that primer don't lay it on TOO thick or it will be soft for a long time (months) so be careful when handling the amp after painting it.

 

Man you did a great job painting that amp, it looks brand new.