Why bother..

[IdahoMan]

Screw it!

I'll just pay hundreds of dollars to some punks at a bodyshop to do ANYTHING that involves painting from now on.

I go through hours of trouble trying to do it right: Scuff it, buy expensive cleaning/prepping chemicals, follow the self-etching primer and paint directions to.  the.  letter. And what do I get??? A year later and a little piece of tape peels the paint right off!! As if I rubbed the metal in olive-oil before I painted it.

Backstory: Tried to paint some camper mirrors black.

[Jason S]

Stainless steel camper mirrors?

[zieg85]

I hear you.  Not all etch primers are created equal.  Was the failure down to the substrate or was in intercoat adhesion failure?

[Irish_Alley]

paint isnt easy or everyone would be doing it

[fitz]

Screw it!

I'll just pay hundreds of dollars to some punks at a bodyshop to do ANYTHING that involves painting from now on.

We have some great body guys on  this site  that are always offering FREE advice.
I'm not so sure we will hear from them on this one.

[Irish_Alley]

Harold should help, if he gets online

[Blazin]

In order for any coating to stick it needs a mechanical bond. If the mirriors are stainless steel no matter what the product it will have a tough time sticking.
Sand blasting, or grinding is the only way to prep stainless. Then prime with a high quality self etching, then a urethane primer to fill the grind, or sand blast marks.
Then sand the primer with 400 grit paper to achieve the mechanical bond for your top coat.
If going over old paint sand blast to remove, then follow above instruction. Or if paint is in great shape just sand with 400.