Can You Actually Paint Aluminum Siding?
Now, this might come as a surprise, but you can paint aluminum siding. After all, aluminum siding adheres to paint very well. In fact, paint sticks to metal better than vinyl, and it doesn’t shrivel or expand like wood.
So you don’t have to worry about paint peeling or chipping off. Instead, the paint will last better and even longer than on other surfaces.
Gone are the days that discolored aluminum is automatically scrapped. However, not all aluminum should be painted. If you notice that your aluminum siding is punctured or damaged, it should be repaired or be replaced before it’s painted.
What Paint Should You Purchase?
You can paint your aluminum sidling with just about any color. However, typically very vibrant colors need a white or tinted base. While common colors like neutral tones are easier to work with.
Although, the burnish of the paint is just as important as the color. Flat or matte paint is a popular choice. It gives your home a modern aesthetic that disguises small painting mistakes and brush lines.
However, matte paint can be hard to clean. Since its texture attracts stains and dirt, you may have to clean it more than expected, which over time, could lead to an uneven color tone.
On the other hand, satin or eggshell paints have a more glossy sheen to their hue. Which depending on your preference, could make it the paint for you. In fact, they tend to be more durable and, unlike flat paints, easier to clean.
How to Paint Aluminum Siding
To paint an aluminum siding, precise steps must be taken. Here’s how to correctly paint an aluminum siding:
Clean the Siding
The first thing you want to do is clean it. While aluminum doesn’t rot or rust, it still may contain mildew that may keep the paint from sticking well. Thus, it’s imperative to clean all the oxidation and mildew from the siding.
To do that, pressure wash the siding with a mixture of a capful of bleach and TSP. TSP is a strong cleaner that can be purchased at almost any hardware store.
It usually comes concentrated and needs to be diluted per the directions. Also, since it’s a powerful chemical, you should handle it carefully and with goggles and with gloves.
Now, you might be asking yourself, “how will I know when it’s clean?” Well, one way to make sure the siding is completely clean is to do a white glove test.
Here’s how it works: all you have to do is take a clean white paper towel, napkin, or even a piece of cloth and wipe it across the surface. If no mildew remains, then it’s clean and ready to go.
Prime It
Once the siding has been cleaned, it’s time to prime it. Priming the siding is crucial before painting. After all, a primer completes two essential steps:
- First, it creates a sealant that prevents mildew or oxidation.
- Secondly, it helps create a tackier surface for the paint to adhere to.
Make sure you use a primer that’s designed for metal, like a self-etching primer. This type of primer dissolves any type of oxidation to create a strong bond with the aluminum. It will even allow the paint to last for a longer period of time; how cool!
Now You Can Start Painting
Once the primer has completely dried, it’s time to get your paintbrushes ready. You can use paintbrushes or spray paint the sidling.
If you use paintbrushes, work with a small quantity of paint at a time and try to stay within the shade. Since aluminum warms up in the sun, the paint will set fairly quickly and even get thicker.
So if you only painted interior spaces, you might have a hard time painting an aluminum sidling. You could brush too much on, and if it dries before you spread it, you could have uneven spots or paint drips.
The best way to paint an aluminum siding is to let the professionals handle it. Painting experts use airless sprayers which not only cover more area but do so in a fashion that creates a great finish.
With The Painting Company by your side, you don’t have to worry about ending up with a splotchy mess. Just give us a call, and you’ll have a pretty painted aluminum siding.
