Get the metal wet with a solution made from warm water and a few pumps of degreaser.
How to paint over anodized sheet metal.
Personally for a skid plate i d get a small can of enamel and put it on with a brush.
The stripes that were recessed in the material remain red anodized every other stripe is now bare aluminum giving the look of the white stripes.
When an anodized coating appears to have failed cleaning often results in a renewed appearance.
Anodizing the environment.
The acidity of the vinegar will react with the metal treating the surface to promote paint adhesion.
Clean the surface of the anodized aluminum using water dish soap and a coarse brush.
Dry the surface with a clean cloth afterwards.
Scrape rust away with warm water degreaser and a wire brush.
Once an organic coating has failed the only options are to re coat the surface with another paint or replace the metal.
Sand the metal surface with coarse then fine grit sandpaper.
Anodizing appears to be compatible with today s environmental concerns.
Apply self etching primer let dry then sand again.
All you have to do is simply apply the vinegar to a clean rag and then wipe down the galvanized surface.
Fill it to no more than two thirds capacity.
How to paint over anodized aluminum step 1.
Apply the etching primer.
It will definately look better than a spray can job after a month of riding.
Rinse away all of the soap.
Choose a type of paint you may or may not need to prime the surface depending on the type of paint you choose.
I d lightly scuff it with about 100 grit sandpaper primer with a zinc chromate primer and then paint.
After the paint has cured we take a very light cut off the surface about 0 010.
Link to self etching paint http amzn to 2mb2kaz paint color i used http amzn to 2msrhyd through trial and error i ve figured out the correct way to.
Apply paint multiple coats and sanding between coats may be necessary.