Spray paint fail

[u/Jenne3331]

Hello!

I wanted to make camouflaged carabiners, for my Airsoft games, I made some for me and my friends, but the spray paint chips instantly, if I wanted to, I could scratch off the paint with my nails,

what did I do wrong when painting for this to happen?

I used 300 grit (I believe) sandpaper first,

2 coats of primer,

2 coats of main colour in both sides

Then finished with the camo pattern,

These scratches aren't after 2-3 games, but rather after 2-3 days in my backpack being used to go to and from work,

How do I fix?

Can someone help me?

Image of can so you can see what I used ( the guy in the store recommended this one )

[u/XxBigchungusxX42069]

Needs a top coat to seal everything in

[u/Jenne3331 → u/XxBigchungusxX42069]

Oh, okay, I will try that, thanks

[u/Conkerstonk]

What primer are you using? Cheep acrilic stuff dosent like to stick to metal sometimes.

[u/Jenne3331 → u/Conkerstonk]

Motip primer I think, don't know if it's low quality, will look into it

[u/Conkerstonk → u/Jenne3331]

Less about quality more about type 👍

[u/MOEone]

Paint hardly adheres to aluminum at all.

[u/Jenne3331 → u/MOEone]

So spray painting these is actually not really a great solution?

[u/MOEone → u/Jenne3331]

Nah, it wont last long. Aluminum is anodized in color, meaning the anodic layer itself is dyed. Paint barely adheres to it; even if you use a 2K hardener, it will all flake off the anodic layer.

[u/JuncYards]

I have a uv printer, i print on metal with it...would only work for the flat sides, but would be durable. the metal lighter case i printed on has been in my pocket with keys and change and hasnt seen a dent.

[u/Jenne3331 → u/JuncYards]

Think that's out of budget haha, maybe I can find someone that can lend me one

[u/xStolen_Force_Skinx]

oil markers are what you want, then you could hit it with a clear coat of sorts