Aluminum is a popular material for siding for many different reasons. It holds up well in severe weather, and it has low maintenance requirements. However, people often want to know if it can be painted. Actually, it is, as long as you know how to do it the right way. Take a look at how to paint aluminum siding.
Start by Prepping the Siding
The first step to painting your aluminum siding is to get it ready. You should scrape off any paint that is peeling, and remove any mildew. You can use a solution of bleach and water for this task. You can also power wash the siding to remove any dirt. Make sure that you use a low pressure tip and avoid spraying up because the water can get behind the aluminum. Once you finish, you need to let the aluminum dry completely before moving on.
Next, you can prep the area. You should use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to protect the areas around the siding. This will make your job a lot easier.
Use the Primer
You should use galvanized metal etching primer for aluminum siding. Get a synthetic polyester paint brush and cover the siding with a coat of primer. You should paint the entire surface, and then let it dry. It needs to cure for at least four hours.
Use 100% Acrylic Exterior Paint
The next step is to paint the siding. You need to use 100% acrylic exterior paint. Take a brush to paint all of the edges first. Then, you can coat the roller. Pour some paint into the tray, and make sure that you have the paint evenly on all parts of the roller. Go back and forth over the ribbed area to help with this.
If your siding is horizontal, you should move left to right, and if it is vertical, you should move up and down. Make sure that you smooth any bumps with your paintbrush as you roll the siding. Keep going until you paint the entire area. Then, you need to let the siding dry completely.
Apply Another Coat
After your first coat has completely dried, you can add a second coat. This will make the paint job long lasting, and it will look great. Paint the entire surface area a second time, and then you need to let it dry once more.
Tips for Painting Aluminum Siding
There are several ways to make your aluminum siding look even better. First, you should consider using a low luster, or satin, finish. They look better than other finishes on aluminum siding. You should also cover the ground around the siding to make sure that you don’t spill paint on any bushes or shrubs.
If you need to remove any paint, you should use a sander and 100-grit sandpaper. This takes longer, but it will take the surface down to the metal.
You should only use 100% acrylic primer and paint. Make sure that you let the paint dry between coats. If you follow these steps, your aluminum siding will look great.