Repainting textured aluminium sides?

[steveclv]

So I am currently restoring a 1983 Rapido and the van was constructed from sheets of (very thin) textured aluminium which, as you can imagine, after 42 years are looking a bit shabby. I don't want to do any more damage to it so am thinking that I can hand paint it especially as with a matt finish and the texture it would hide roller marks etc.
But the question is what paint to use - as in the hot weather the aluminium will expand and contract quite a bit so it needs to be flexible.
Any suggestions please?
Thanks

 

[Ukdave2002]

Some years ago I restored an MGA, it has aluminium door, bonnet & boot skins. I used an etch primer on the bare aluminium, and then in my case a 2 pack paint that once cured is hard and can be brittle, stone chips can create "craters" . My car has been driven in freezing weather and really hot weather, without any ill effects to the paint, so if its ok for 2K then I would think every other paint will be even more forgiving. I'd chat to your local automotive paint supplier, they will advise on best paint / mix for roller brush use.