How Do You Paint Aluminum Siding?

Aluminum siding has some pronounced advantages over other siding materials. At the end of the day, metal is incredibly durable which, especially when it comes to your home, is extremely desirable.

But it can lose its color faster than other materials, which leaves many of us asking, How do you paint aluminum siding?

Aluminum is a bit more particular than some other materials when it comes to painting it in the best way possible. Especially if you have a house of much size, it can be a big relief to simply pay a professional to paint it for you. This article will provide an introduction to why.

The first step to painting any surface is preparing it and the first step to preparing a surface to be painted is repairing any roughed up sections.

Once the whole outer surface of the house is in good repair, it’s time to strip any peeling paint, mildew, and other stray material from the surface to be painted. This can be a highly labor-intensive job, especially if it’s done by hand.

After the outside of the house is smooth and clean, it’s time to apply the primer. Aluminum siding needs specific types of primer to avoid bubbling. Through this point, the goal has ultimately been to smooth the surface to be painted and to turn it a color that will make the ultimate paint color show up as naturally as possible.

Aluminum siding is going to need to be painted using acrylic paint. You’ll probably need at least two coats, possibly three. Even if you’re a hardcore do-it-yourselfer, it will be a great idea to have a professional come around and see if they can spot any problems.

Always allow each coat of paint, including the primer, to dry before applying the next coat. You’ll want to do the serious painting on a day that’s dry and overcast, as other weather conditions can affect drying and appearance significantly.

The short answer is carefully and with respect for the particulars of aluminum. The other short answer is with the help of professionals.

If you hire some solid professionals to help with the project, they will first of all find and repair any spots in need of fixing. Next, they’ll strip everything possible off the surface that will be painted. This can be a big job by itself; keep in mind that more hands make less work.

Next, the primer will be applied. Finally, it will be time for the first two coats of the desired paint. Keep in mind that a third coat may be necessary–this is a case-by-case thing.

One always hopes to never need to paint one’s house again except to change colors. If you follow these steps, especially with the guidance of a professional, you should be able to avoid having to ask the question, How do you paint aluminum siding? any more than every decade or two.