Painting Aluminum Siding - How to Paint Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is not affected by water, but when it comes in contact with air, it forms oxides and thus, may fade. Aluminum sidings require regular maintenance. With the passage of time, it loses its sheen and the signs of wear and tear of the aluminum siding show up. Replacing the old aluminum siding with the new one will prove to be quite an expensive affair. So, the alternative is to paint the aluminum siding, as the cost of painting aluminum siding is comparatively quite less.

Steps on How to Paint Aluminum Siding

If you follow the instructions given here properly, you do not need to engage the services of any painting contractors to carry out the painting job. Thus, you can make the aluminum siding look and attractive and new and at the same time, you do not have to shell out a lot of money.

Painting Aluminum Siding - Preparing the Aluminum Siding
The most crucial step to be followed prior to the painting process, is the cleaning of the aluminum siding. On a clean and well-prepared aluminum surface, the paint applied will bond well. People often tend to commit the mistake of avoiding this process of cleaning, as it is quite a tedious job. Check carefully to detect deteriorating paint, corroded surface and mildew as these areas need additional attention during cleaning. Scrub the siding using soapy water and a piece of sponge or brush. Then, wash the siding with clean water from the top of the siding, downwards. Clean thoroughly until the soap and the pigment is washed off completely. You can wash aluminum siding using a pressure washer. Allow the siding to dry for few days.

Painting Aluminum Siding - Application of Primer
Primer is applied to the aluminum siding to obtain a better paint finish and it will also help the paint to last for a longer duration. An oil-based metal primer is the best choice for aluminum siding. You have to select a primer whose color has close resemblance to the color of your paint. Mix the primer with a paint thinner in the proportion of one quart of thinner to one gallon of primer. Apply the primer on the aluminum siding using a brush or airless sprayer. In case the old paint on your siding was latex acrylic, you need not apply any primer on the aluminum siding.

Painting Aluminum Siding - Application of Paint
Make sure that the time gap between the application of primer and the paint is not be more than 48 hours. Light sanding on the primer coat of aluminum siding with a 150 grit sandpaper facilitates better adhesion of the paint. Latex paint has ammonia content that reacts with the oxide of aluminum and leads to the formation of a gas that creates bubbles below the paint coat. As a result, the paint cannot stick well with the aluminum surface and gets eroded. Therefore, choose an acrylic latex paint for aluminum siding. Any low luster or satin finish paint works wonders on aluminum siding. Use an airless sprayer for the application of the paint to get an even finish of painting. Even a foam roller is good, but it may require a number of coats. Give ample amount of time to the paint to dry up. The more times it gets to dry up, the better its adhesion with aluminum siding.

A cool and cloudy day is ideal for painting aluminum siding. Aluminum does not rust and is not affected by water. Never perform the painting task under direct sunlight or on a windy day. These kinds of weather conditions, decrease the longevity of the applied paint.