just wondering should i use etching primer and car paint or can i get by with just spray can primer and paint to paint the old window trim and should i sand or what??

 

No matter what you do, paint wont stay on aluminum forever. I would sand it with 320-400 grit, or Scotchbrite it. Then spray whatever good quality paint you want directly on it. I personally have had excellent results with Hammerite on things that take a real beating, but I've never had a lot of luck with aluminum.
I'm not a fan of the "black is the new chrome" idea myself.

 

i do agree with you on the ---I'm not a fan of the "black is the new chrome"--but on the same note--i seen a picture were someone had done that to there trim and my trim is in bad shape---real dull and scratched and i have tried to polish with no results,so i fiqured that as high as the new trim is--{which is rediculous for a few pieces of aluminum} that i would try it and see how it looked before i bought new since my car is black and white anyway---but i still wanted it to be right if i did it----thanks

 

o---by the way,who carries Hammerite---thanks

 

Home Depot.
I polished mine with Flitz and a drill motor with a buffing wheel.

 

i tried that,but they just got that 30yr old look to them---if the painting dont go to good--i quess i'll just buy some---thanks

 

Hmmm? Mine were pretty dull, but they look awfully nice now.

 

I spent 12 years buffing and polishing. Sheeezzz I hate chrome. But most anything can be fixed. Some dents can be tricky. Scratches, save for 40 grit groves, are simple as 180, 320, buff, and color (brite). This can all be done on 6-8" bench grinder with soft buffs. The ones we used were 17".

 

well--its kinda like that acid rain or whatever it is that makes the windows look all dull and old and wont come off for anything--or at least i have not found anything for the windows that will buff that off---i may could sand on the trim and then buff it,didnt really think about that,thanks