I need new trailer fenders for my boat trailer because the ones on it have rust holes all the way through them when I sanded them to paint. I found a pair of galvanized ones and would like to know if they can be painted ? Is there anything special needs to be done to make paint adhere to galvanized metal ?

anyone with any experience painting galvanized steel ?

some light reading for you: http://www.galvanizeit.org/images/uploads/publicationPDFs/paintguide.pdf

as with pretty much any kind of painting, it seems to be all about the surface prep and priming.
HRG

Depending on the state you live in, you may or may not be able to buy the etching primer and paint that will make it possible. Go to an auto-body paint store and if they can, they'll hook you up with what you'll need.

Don't paint them without the proper surface prep chemicals and etching primer. The paint will flake off quick.

I bought these from c-me marine and they are the same as the ones from cabelas. They say paintable on the paper and in the catalog. They are not like the rough suface galvanized, they are very smooth and there is no pattern in the galvanizing, it is completely smooth. It says they are made of galvanized steel and ready to paint.
I called rustoleum and the rep told me to use rust stop flat aluminum primer #8781504 and then a top coat of any rustoleum paint. All he said was necessary befor painting was to lightly sand with a fine girt paper and then wipe off with mineral spirits. Would you guys agree with this ?
Here is a link to the primer

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=43&sid=8781504