Paint aluminium siding: How to Paint Aluminum Siding

How to Paint Aluminum Siding

By

Lee Wallender

Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

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Updated on 02/28/22

Reviewed by

Deane Biermeier

Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier

Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.

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Fact checked by

Emily Estep

Fact checked by
Emily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

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Jiri Hamhalter / EyeEm / Getty Images

Project Overview

Installed far and wide from the 1940s to the early 1980s, aluminum siding is still found on many homes. That aluminum siding is still performing after decades is a testament to its durability, low maintenance, and resistance to fire, insects, and rot. But eventually, aluminum siding can become worn, faded, or dated, so it’s time to paint it.

With the right prep work—including patchwork, cleaning, and primer—even the oldest and most faded aluminum siding can be revitalized with a fresh, beautiful coat of paint.

Working With Aluminum Siding

Painting aluminum siding is different from painting other siding materials because of the nature of the material. Aluminum has oxidation and corrosion characteristics that may be unfamiliar to many homeowners accustomed to dealing with wood, fiber cement, or vinyl siding.

Cleaning

While it’s advisable to clean surfaces before priming or painting, you’ll want to put even more time and vigor into cleaning aluminum siding. Dusty gray or white oxidation on aluminum isn’t easy to remove with pressure-washing alone. Enlist the help of a nylon-bristle scrub brush, scrub pad, bucket, and a mild homemade cleaning solution.

Aluminum Siding Cleaning Solution

• 1 cup of household bleach, unscented
• 1 cup of TSP
• 1 gallon of warm water

Mix slowly in a clean bucket to avoid splashing. Make sure that the TSP granules are fully dissolved in the water.

Stripping Paint

Aluminum siding is treated in the factory with two to three color coats, then baked at extremely high temperatures to produce colors that resist fading and peeling for years. There is no need to remove this factory-finished paint before you paint the aluminum siding.

But if the siding’s factory paint was painted later on, that paint may need to be stripped off. While you may not need to strip off all of the paint, sections that are peeling or cracked should be removed.

Priming

Professional painters tend to prefer oil-based primers for priming aluminum siding before painting. Though water-based primers are good for other materials, oil-based primers offer the toughness and the adhesion properties needed for dealing with aluminum. Plus, oil-based primers won’t react with aluminum.

Oil-based primers are more difficult to work with than water-based primers. They need to be cleaned with paint thinner or mineral spirits, not with water, and they cure at a far slower rate than water-based primers. But their long-lasting qualities more than balance out their difficulties.

When to Paint Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is best painted in dry, warm seasons. Paint during the early part of the day, before the sun begins to shine on the siding. Avoid painting when it is rainy or overly humid. Optimal humidity is between 40 and 50 percent.

Safety Considerations

If the aluminum siding was previously painted with lead-based paint, hire a remediation company to remove the paint safely. Use a lead paint test kit to determine if the paint contains lead.

Equipment / Tools

• Airless paint sprayer
• Paint roller
• Roller pads
• Extension pole
• Kitchen gloves
• Extension ladder or 6-foot ladder
• Caulking gun
• Putty knife
• Mask
• Goggles
• Abrasive scrub pad
• Nylon bristle brush

Materials

• High-quality exterior paint
• Oil-based primer
• TSP (Tri-sodium phosphate) or safe TSP substitute
• Bleach
• Painter’s tape
• Masking film
• Exterior caulk
• Acrylic latex exterior filler
• Paint thinner or mineral spirits

1. Repair or Patch

   Tiny holes and cracks should be filled with paintable exterior caulk. Caulk around windows and doors. Small holes in the siding should be patched with a sandable, hydrophobic acrylic latex exterior filler. Do not use wood filler. Patch large holes by cutting small sections of aluminum with shears, then applying them over the hole with exterior filler or gutter sealant.

2. Pressure Wash Siding

   Attach the pressure washer to an outside faucet and to a GFCI outlet. Spray from the top downward. Never spray upward, as this may force water behind the siding. Remove large pieces of debris like spider webs, dirt, and dust.

   Warning

   Use a medium- or angled-spray when pressure washing aluminum siding. The material is soft and can be dented or etched with a concentrated spray.

3. Clean Siding by Hand

   Mix up a cleaning solution. Wearing kitchen gloves, scrub the aluminum siding by hand, starting at the top. Use an extension ladder or 6-foot ladder to reach the top. Scrub areas that are about 3 feet wide. When you reach the bottom, rinse off the section. Move to an adjacent section and repeat.

4. Mask off Areas

   Mask off all sections that will not be painted. These may include windows, doors, outlets, lights, light switches, electric or gas meters, air conditioners, or mailboxes. Use painter’s tape for small areas. For large sections, use masking film attached with painter’s tape. Lay down a drop cloth over pavement and foliage.

5. Prime Siding

   Mix the primer well. Insert the airless paint sprayer’s draw tube in the bucket. Fully masked and wearing goggles, spray in sections of about four feet by four feet.

6. Paint Siding

   Let the primer cure for at least one hour. Clean out the paint sprayer gun and hose. Switch to the paint. Spray the paint similar to the primer, in small sections.

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7. Back Roll Paint

   Immediately after finishing a section, back roll the paint with the paint roller for consistent coverage and to help the paint stick better.

   Tip

   It’s faster to have two people doing this job. One person sprays, while the other person follows by back rolling.

8. Apply Second Coat

   Let the paint cure for at least two hours. In moist air or cool temperatures, let the paint cure longer. Apply a second coat of paint to the aluminum siding.

When to Call a Professional

Call in a professional painting company if you feel that the job is too large to manage. Exterior painting isn’t particularly complex, but it is time- and labor-intensive. Pro painters can usually paint an entire house in just a few days or week, depending on the size of the house.

Best Ways To Paint Aluminum Siding

by Nick Bonadies | Sep 20, 2021 | Siding Care

Painting aluminum siding 

Aluminum siding is a popular material for home exterior because it is durable and low maintenance. 

However, it may not be the most attractive material. If you are looking for a way to make your aluminum siding look better or even change its color, there are ways that you can do this on your own. Here is how: 

Painting aluminum siding is a little more complex than painting wood because it is smooth and has no pores. Even though paint will stick to the metal from the outside, you still have to ensure that your surface is prepared correctly before applying any finish. 

In most cases, there are only two kinds of surfaces found on aluminum siding: brushed and anodized. The latter is the most common because it has a hard finish that resists scratching and fading. Anodizing aluminum makes it more “slippery” than brushing does, so applying paint will be much more challenging. 

You cannot use oil-based paints or primers on aluminum siding either.

Painting aluminum siding – Preparation and tools 

Painting aluminum siding is a little more difficult than painting wood because it is smooth and has no pores. Even though the paint will stick to the metal from the outside, you still have to make sure that your surface is prepared correctly before applying any finish. 

In most cases, there are only two kinds of surfaces found on aluminum siding: brushed and anodized. The latter is the most common because it has a hard finish that resists scratching and fading. Anodizing aluminum makes it more “slippery” than brushing does, so applying paint will be much more challenging. 

You cannot use oil-based paints or primers on aluminum siding either because it will corrode the metal. The only type of paint that you can use is latex, which comes in aerosol spray cans and other styles. You can find exterior latex paint in light or dark colors suitable for painting aluminum siding. The only drawback is that they may fade after a few months if you don’t apply a clear topcoat to protect the base color. 

When it comes to tools, all you need is a brush and some spray paints for a nice finish. The use of a roller is not recommended because it will leave your aluminum siding looking like there’s too much paint on it, which can cause even more problems in the future.

Painting aluminum siding – Techniques and materials:

• There are different ways to paint aluminum siding, but the best choice is using exterior latex paint in a spray can. To apply it properly without leaving any visible streaks on your surface, you need to follow these steps:

• Put masking tape around windows and doorframes 

• Use low pressure when spraying paint on your surface 

• Spray the paint in a “Z” motion several times over each section before moving to another part of your aluminum siding. This will give you better coverage and prevent any unwanted dripping or pooling from happening at one spot. After applying, let dry for 12 hours, remove masking tape very carefully without leaving any adhesive on your paint.

• Use a brush to apply a clear topcoat if necessary and let dry completely.

• If you don’t want the hassle of removing the masking tape and your exterior latex paint doesn’t come with any kind of protective coating, then it’s better for you to go over every section again after 24 hours. This will give you a longer-lasting finish that will prevent peeling and flaking.

• Don’t hold the can too close to your surface. 

• Be sure to clean your tools and brushes with water before storing them away when you need to paint aluminum siding. This will prevent any type of contamination from happening on future projects.

Now that you know how to paint aluminum siding, the only thing left for you is finding a good exterior latex brand. This will greatly affect your results so make sure it’s high quality and offers excellent coverage overall. You should also choose colors properly because they can either blend well with their surroundings or look out of place depending on the situation.

Painting aluminum siding – Cleanup 

When painting aluminum siding, you need to clean and prepare the surface before applying paint. This includes removing loose dirt or debris from any cracks in the sheeting, sanding down rough edges to prevent peeling of your finish coat later on, and using a metal prep product beforehand if necessary. It is best practice to use an aerosol can of paint specifically designed for metal.

If you are not able to get the siding completely clean, then it is best to use a product like Valspar’s Rust Cure, which neutralizes rust and prepares your surface for painting. This ensures that your finish coat will have maximum adhesion between the primer coat and its final color coats later on. After applying a metal primer, you can apply an oil-based enamel to your surface to protect the weather and elements, such as rain or cold temperatures.

If you are looking to refinish existing aluminum siding rather than painting it yourself, then try having a professional do the work that will ensure great results every time. This will save you time and money in the long run, as there is no need to repurchase supplies or equipment if it’s already on hand.

Maintenance for Aluminum Siding Paint

The final aspect of painting aluminum siding is maintenance. Depending on the location, climate, and exposure to the sun, your house will require occasional touch-ups or repainting at specific intervals (or more often if you live in a highly harsh area). You may also need to reapply a protective coating once per year; this depends entirely upon how often your siding is cleaned and maintained.

You can use the same paint you used for your initial coat, but if you want to alter its appearance slightly, it’s easy enough to mix in different colors when applying the second round of coats. A great idea would be a darker shade of paint on top of a lighter one, this creates a dynamic color change while still showing some of the original aluminum sidings beneath.

The correct way to paint aluminum siding

Aluminum siding is water resistant and will not rust. However, when aluminum comes into contact with air, it forms oxides. Over time, the color of the siding fades and it loses its luster. Then the surface shows signs of wear and it looks very ugly. For this reason, aluminum cladding requires regular maintenance. Replacing old siding with new siding can be quite costly. Thus, a suitable alternative is to cover it with a fresh coat of paint.

Conventional paint contains substances that react with alumina to form gas and create bubbles under the paint. As a result, the paint cannot adhere well to the aluminum surface and is easily destroyed. Therefore, acrylic latex siding paint should be chosen. After you have finished selecting the type and color of paint, follow the steps below.

Preparing the Siding

You must first completely clean the entire siding. People often make the mistake of avoiding this step as it is quite a tedious job. But you can’t afford to miss it, because on a clean and well-prepared surface, the applied coat of paint fuses very well with the aluminum. Carefully inspect the siding for stains with deteriorating paint, surface corrosion, and mold, as these areas require special attention during cleaning. Clean the siding with a piece of sponge or a brush dipped in soapy water. Then rinse it off by pouring water from top to bottom so that any soap and pigment residue that is stuck on the siding is completely washed off. If necessary, you can wash the siding with a washer. Let it dry for a few days.
Applying a primer

Primer must be applied to the siding for a better finish. This will also help the paint last longer. An oil based primer is the best choice for aluminum. You should choose a primer that closely matches the color of the paint you are going to apply. Now dilute the primer in the proportion indicated in the instructions, and apply the solution with a brush or airless spray to the surface to be painted.

Paint application

Aluminum siding should not be painted on a windy day. Moreover, do not work in direct sunlight. This is due to the fact that due to heat and wind, the durability of the applied paint is reduced. A cool and cloudy day is perfect for painting siding. Just make sure that the time between primer and paint is no more than 48 hours. Sand the primer coat with 150 grit sandpaper. Light sanding promotes better adhesion of the paint. Then use an airless sprayer to apply the paint as it will help you get an even coverage. A foam roller is also good for this purpose, but in this case it may be necessary to apply several layers. Allow sufficient time for the paint to dry.

Many people prefer to paint their old siding because it is cheaper than installing a new one. If you follow the instructions given here, then you will not need to use any contractors to carry out the painting work. This way, you can give your siding an attractive look without spending a lot of money.

Metal siding “Quadro Beam 3D”

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Quadro Beam 3D – metal siding with a bright, voluminous texture of wood!

Special knurling for a realistic wood grain texture.
The simple geometry of the profile gives the house a Scandinavian style. Modern design is achieved through straight lines.

3D Quadro Siding:

• 3D effect thanks to special knurling
• horizontal and vertical mounting of panels
• suitable for private and industrial construction
• environmental and fire safe
• resistant to fading, rot, temperature extremes
• does not require painting and additional post-installation care

Attention! For Print Elite and Print Premium coatings, visible shading and repeatability of the pattern on large surfaces is possible. An example in the photo.

To minimize the possible occurrence of visible pattern repeatability and color variation, we recommend using panels of the same length from different packages.

One-sided installation on railings is not allowed!
The back side of the siding on the fences must be protected from the wind load (profiled, siding).

Specifications

Total width, mm	340
Usable width, mm	295
Profile height, mm	15
Minimum sheet length, m	0.5
Maximum sheet length, m	6.5

Installation instructions
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Instructions for vertical installation of metal siding Quadro Beam
(Download)

Metal Siding Compliance Certificate

Drawing of Metal siding “Quadro Beam”

Prices in the online store

Square timber 3D 0.