Best Way to Paint Aluminum Siding on a House

Download Article

Download Article

Instead of replacing old aluminum siding, information technology is often more cost constructive to repaint it. It'due south a very straightforward procedure and, provided you tin set aside preparation and painting time, it is something well-nigh homeowners tin do without professional assistance.

1. i

   Ensure that yous're dealing with aluminum. Painting vinyl or another metal textile other than aluminum will exist greatly different, so information technology'south important to be sure of what you're near to paint.

   • Galvanized steel should not be painted with oil-based paint. Many paint manufacturers offer multi-purpose enamel or a straight to metallic paint.
   • Determine if the siding has been previously painted and what kind of pigment has been used. If possible, bring a sample to a professional.
   • Aluminum can be difficult to tell apart from vinyl if brand new. Bank check for cracks or dings in the siding. If the siding is cracked or broken, it is vinyl. Dings or bumps are an indication of aluminum. ^[1]
   • Try tapping on the siding because aluminum sounds hollow and lightly metallic. ^[2]
   • Use a magnet to make up one's mind if your siding is steel versus aluminum considering magnet will stick to an steel siding just non aluminum. steel will also bear witness red-brown rust. ^[3]

2. 2

   Clean the siding. It'south best to use a ability washer, angling the spray in the management pelting would hit the house as washing from the bottom upwardly tin can crusade unnecessary damage to the siding.^[4] If you lot cull to utilize whatever chemicals, complete a last rinse to remove remaining materials because residual chemicals tin exist damaging to your painting process.

   • If y'all've got stubborn stains, endeavor cleaning with a biodegradable laundry detergent past mixing approximately ¼ cup (60 milliliters) detergent with 4 gallons (16 litres) of water.^[5]
   • Rub your hand along the siding when information technology is dry to check for chalking, which is mutual. If a powdery substance comes off, don't exist alarmed because this is chalking, which is normal in paint made for aluminum substances. This powdery substance acts equally a self-cleaner for the siding. Simply choose a detergent containing TSP (trisodium phosphate) to remove the chalking.^[6]
   • Repair whatever damaged siding by banging out any dents or sags or removing unsalvageable pieces birthday.
   • If there'south whatever peeling pigment on the aluminum, use a scraper to remove it.^[vii]

   Advertisement

3. 3

   Sand downwards the siding. Use rough sandpaper (80-120 grit) to start your sanding. Do a rough one time over while making certain to keep your motion in the same direction. Move up to a more fine sandpaper (220 grit) and exercise a second pass over the siding Brand sure to avoid etches and special molding, and then that you don't damage them. Give your siding a sweep subsequently, from the top down, to ensure you've removed all the metallic filings and whatsoever chipped paint.

   • Sanding the siding volition give it a little texture that the primer and paint tin can attach to.^[viii]
   • Y'all can also utilise wire brushes to scuff the surface of the aluminum, if you lot'd prefer.^[ix]
   • Depending on how big the expanse is that yous desire to paint, you lot may want to use a power sander. If you use a power sander, be cautious when applying pressure to forestall whatsoever impairment to the siding.

   Advert

1. 1

   Get a power/ pressure washer for cleaning the siding. Whether yous ask your friends or need to rent one, there are toll constructive ways to learn a power washer, especially if you just programme to use information technology once.

   • Power washers tin can be rented inexpensively at a hardware store, and so contact your local stores to compare prices and availability.
   • Pressure is typically measured in water per square inch which generally ranges from 2000psi to 2800psi for a gas powered washer vs 1300psi to 1700psi for an electric one. Higher pressure ways higher power but it also means more than racket, therefore, exist enlightened of the disturbance you may create for your neighbours.^[10]
   • If they don't come with the rental, don't forget to use the proper prophylactic tools that coincide with ability washer use such as waterproof boots, goggles, gloves and ear protection.

2. 2

   Choose the right primer. Look for an oil-based primer. The oil-base of operations will absorb any chalking paint and acts as an extra layer of protection from the exterior elements.^[eleven]

   • You tin also utilise an acrylic primer which will deed as a strong base of operations while sticking to metal and not reacting to any peradventure-missed oxidation on the siding. Be cautious when using an acrylic primer, which can simply be paired with acrylic pigment.
   • Avert latex primer since it more often than not contains ammonia, which reacts over fourth dimension with aluminum to form microscopic gas bubbling and can lead to premature failure of the primer, removing the pigment from the surface or the siding.

3. iii

   Choose the right paint. Select a paint meant for aluminum that'due south acrylic exterior grade pigment. This is an all-seasonal paint, which volition concur up better, cover better and is less likely to fade.

   • Stay abroad from high gloss paints which reflect the sun'south glare, unless you alive in a hot area and want to do this deliberately.
   • Try to select an eggshell or satin finish because it is more flattering for your home as information technology wears better than a matte finish.

4. four

   Cull your painting method. Whether you use a brush, roller or sprayer, choose beforehand and know how to utilise your tool efficiently. Brushes, while most inexpensive, are the most fourth dimension-intensive style to paint your siding. In dissimilarity, using a spray machine will be the well-nigh time-constructive style but besides the virtually expensive. The happy medium would exist using a roller; not only are they moderately priced, but they can besides exist used with relative ease.

   • When working with brushes or rollers, stick with synthetic fibre brushes or a lambswool roller. This will give your siding a polish stop.
   • If you're using a sprayer, use an airless sprayer with a .017 gun tip for a smooth awarding. While y'all tin rent a professional automobile in most areas, it's best to compare prices and availability.

5. five

   Determine if you lot'll be needing a ladder. Both paint brushes and sprayers will need the added acme associated with using a ladder. Straining to get the height and avoiding utilize of a ladder will leave paint splotchy and uneven.

   • Splurge and pick up a handle extension for your roller. With ranch-style homes, you'll be able to forgo a ladder and use the handle extension. If you lot have a multiple story home, yous'll skip some steps on your ladder when reaching for the top of your siding.

   Advertisement

1. i

   Apply products on the right 24-hour interval. When priming and painting, weather must exist considered. Each product will state acceptable temperature ranges but a adept rule of thumb is to non paint in atmospheric condition colder than 50 F (ten C) or on rainy days. Moisture from dew or rain will ruin a new application of paint.

   • When priming or painting, begin on a portion that is shaded from the sun as painting in directly sunlight tin can cause cracks and bubbles from drying too fast.^[12] In plow, whatever bubbles or cracks will have to be sanded out after drying.

2. 2

   Prime the siding and allow full drying fourth dimension. Afterward coating your roller in primer, ringlet quickly but with fifty-fifty pressure, along the panel of siding. Next, roll backwards in the reverse management. This is to ensure an fifty-fifty and complete coat has been applied. Applying primer should only take a few seconds per foot practical. Use at to the lowest degree two coats of primer sparingly to the siding to ensure proper coverage.^[13]

   • Don't worry if you can see the metal or previous paint through the primer. Your glaze should be thin plenty to dry fast but still visible to the eye.
   • Always brainstorm priming at one end of the siding. By working left to correct, or right to left, rather than starting in the center, the primer volition dry evenly as you work. This is a great way to avert visible lines dried within your progress.
   • Allow total drying fourth dimension between coats. If yous don't wait long enough, peeling or bubbles can occur. Full drying fourth dimension will vary betwixt brands, withal, a four hour drying time is a expert dominion of thumb.
   • Since it is to exist covered upwards, primer tin can be great practice for airbrushing techniques.^[14]

3. three

   Paint the siding. Paint in long, even strokes, making sure non to overdo it. If your pigment is dripping then you have likewise much.

   • Work from the elevation downward to eliminate dripping paint from ruining your hard work.
   • If your siding is horizontal, paint left to right. If vertical, paint up to down. This ensures even coats and volition prevent you lot from missing whatsoever spots. ^[fifteen]
   • Equally a rule of thumb, paint takes two hours to dry.^[xvi] To test the dryness of your pigment, touch the siding with your finger in an inconspicuous area. If the pigment no longer feels tacky or sticky, it's completely dried. This means you're ready for your second coat.
   • Plan your breaks. Any siding that is partially painted and left to dry out is at risk for lasting, visible lines. This can be avoided by finishing each individual piece of siding equally yous go.

4. 4

   Utilise a second coat of paint. If any bumps are present within the showtime coat, they can be removed by an additional sanding earlier the second application of paint. Be gentle when removing impurities from the start coat because if you sand too difficult you lot'll be dorsum at square i. Always check that that the initial paint is stale before continuing on with the second coat.

   • You don't want to strip off any of the paint while removing impurities. If it happens, though, dab on some primer to cover the raw aluminum.
   • While a second coat of paint isn't a necessity, it adds a expect of professionalism. The second glaze also increases the durability of the pigment, overall increasing the value of your new siding.^[17]
   • If you're seeing lines in your get-go coat, it's because y'all're painting too slow. A line in the color is from the paint drying and existence over painted. To eliminate the line, try working in a smaller area while keeping your edges wet and painting your siding in panels without pausing in between strokes.^[xviii] Painting your 2d coat carefully will let y'all to hide any lines from the kickoff coat.

   Advertisement

Add New Question

• Question

  Do I need to prime number aluminum siding before painting?

  

  Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick'south Painting & Domicile Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over fifteen years of feel in residential structure, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To engagement, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Tiptop Chore" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.

  

  Painting Specialist

  Skilful Respond

• Question

  What thickness of roller brush do I need to use for my aluminum siding?

  

  Marker Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project direction, and project estimation. He has been a structure professional person since 1987.

  

  Construction Professional

  Expert Respond

• Question

  How exercise you pigment aluminum siding?

  

  Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick's Painting & Habitation Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of feel in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his squad have painted over two,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor mag in 2020.

  

  Painting Specialist

  Expert Respond

  

  Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert respond.

  Start by sanding the surface with eighty-120 dust sandpaper or wire brushes, which volition requite the primer and paint something to hold on to. Then, prime the aluminum with an oxidizing primer made specifically for metallic, which will aid inhibit rust from forming in the future. So, become over that with the top coat of your pick.

• Question

  Can I mix oil based paint with acrylic?

  

  Admittedly not.

• Question

  Exercise I use latex or acrylic paint for aluminum siding?

  

  Use outside course acrylic that'south labeled for use on aluminum.

• Question

  Tin can I paint over rust stains from water on aluminum siding?

  

  It is best to remove the rust. Yous'll detect them at your paint store or care for with a rust converter, which reacts with the rust to create a primer. Sand any roughness to a shine cease earlier applying primer or paint.

• Question

  Practice I demand to sand aluminum siding before painting?

  

  No. Use a quality cleaner, which is relatively cheap, to remove dirt, mold and mildew. Some of these have a bleach base and remove all the mold and mildew. If y'all rub your paw on the siding before you wash it and y'all get chalky coloring on your hand, then it is a expert idea to employ a brush or sponge to wipe the siding downwards to remove that oxidized paint, then use your cleaner, wait for the house to completely dry, so y'all are on your mode. I did my home using Olympic Ane, exterior acrylic paint and primer in one. I had no peeling or bubbles, so information technology was easy to simply roll about of it, using a brush to do the tight spaces. It came out looking amazing.

• Question

  Can I employ a mix of primer and paint?

  

  Information technology is non recommended.

• Question

  Can I skip the primer on sometime aluminum siding?

  

  Ugottaguy

  Community Reply

  It all depends on the condition of the siding. If you are irresolute colors, or if you lot already know it will have 2 coats, using a primer wouldn't exist a bad thought. If, for instance, yous are painting a house white, you may be able to save money by using a good quality latex white primer first, as primers may exist a fiddling less expensive as opposed to the cease paints.

• Question

  Tin can I pigment over previously painted aluminum siding?

  

  Ugottaguy

  Customs Answer

  Absolutely, as long every bit everything you lot are painting over is solid with no peeling, flaking or dirt. Use a good quality exterior latex paint. Some other tip, if the previous coat of pigment is in decent shape, either use 150 grit sandpaper or use a biodegradable gloss remover. (Don't exist also aggressive with the sandpaper.)

Run into more answers

Inquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your e-mail address to go a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

• If you force per unit area wash, you notwithstanding may need to scrub some stains out of old pigment.

• If you have chalking paint, a pressure washing is the best method for removal of chalking, but check your local water regulations because outside water use may be controlled if it'due south a drought season.

Advertizing

• Paint and primer fumes can be hazardous to your health, so vesture a protective mask to avert the fumes.

• Depending on how big your domicile is, make certain yous have someone spotting you when using a ladder.

• If yous've never worked with a force per unit area washer or power sander before, be sure to follow all safe guidelines and practice earlier fully initiating the tool.

Advert

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Oil-based primer
• Sandpaper
• Paint rollers
• Roller extension handle
• Pressure washer

About This Article

Commodity Summary Ten

If yous need to paint aluminum siding, choose a day when the weather is at least l°F (x°C) and dry, since moisture from rain or dew will ruin a new paint job. Coat your roller in primer and roll chop-chop and evenly forth the panel of siding, so ringlet backward in the opposite direction. Permit the first coat of primer to dry completely, which usually takes about 4 hours, then use some other coat and permit it dry out too. When it's time to paint, work in long, even strokes, and work from the top downwards then drips don't bear on the finished look. To acquire how to gear up bubbles in your paint or primer, read on!

Did this summary assist you?

Thank you to all authors for creating a page that has been read 658,342 times.

Did this article help you lot?

cadysoccus1970.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Aluminum-Siding

Share this post