Maybe You Already Know That; But Most Homeowners Don't

By now, many homeowners have discovered that aluminum siding is not the maintenance-free dream product it was advertised to be. The evidence is apparent every time they go out the door: the faded finish, the heavy chalking — and maybe even worse.

But most homeowners still believe that the only thing they can do with this problem is to live with it, or put up new siding (and quite possibly re-mortgage the house to pay for it).

In other words, they have no idea that their worn-out aluminum siding can be painted, let alone understand that painting would be only a fraction of the cost of re-siding, that they could choose

from a great range of colors, and that they could have a great-looking finish that will last for many years.

Once you explain all this to a homeowner, you’ll likely have his or her attention — and quite possibly, a new customer as well.

As with any paint job, the final success of the project depends as much on the choice of paint as it does on proper surface preparation. And when painting old aluminum siding, a top quality 100% acrylic latex paint will provide the outstanding performance homeowners seek.

This type of paint expands and contracts with the metal substrate while maintaining its adhesion and avoiding the cracking and alligatoring often seen with lower quality paints. It produces a durable, fade-resistant finish that can last for a decade or more.

A Chalky Problem
Heavy chalk residue is the most common problem with older aluminum siding, and often it’s nearly impossible to eliminate completely.

It is this chalky buildup — a result of exposure to the weather and erosion of the factory finish — that is primarily responsible for the diminished appearance of older aluminum siding. As this chalk slowly builds over the years, it increasingly fades the siding’s original color into a dull, washed-out appearance.

In extreme cases, excessive chalking can result in erosion of the coating to the point where bare aluminum is exposed. When that situation exists, it is important to scrub the bare metal with a non-metallic scouring pad in order to remove any corrosion (aluminum oxide) that has formed. Steel wool may be used, but every remaining bit of the steel wool must then be removed, otherwise it can corrode the aluminum and result in pin holes in the siding.

After you have removed any corrosion, scrub or power wash all of the siding, and follow with a thorough rinsing to remove dirt and chalk. If any mildew is present, treat it with a bleach solution prior to the washing step. Do this by applying a 3:1 mixture of water and household bleach to the affected area. Allow it to remain on the mildew for at least 20 minutes, adding more as it dries.

Check for residual chalk after the first washing has dried. A second washing may be necessary

Priming is generally not required when painting aluminum siding with a top quality acrylic latex paint except in two cases: 1) apply a corrosion inhibitive latex primer to any bare metal, and 2) apply an exterior alkyd primer recommended for this use over any areas still exhibiting significant chalk.

As with any substrate, proper surface preparation is one of the keys to successfully painting aluminum siding. Always scrub or power wash aluminum siding, followed by a thorough rinsing to remove dirt and chalk.

Flat Finish Is Fine
As for the level of gloss, a satin finish will most closely resemble the appearance of new aluminum siding. But, since glossier finishes tend to highlight imperfections in the surface, the better choice is often a flat finish, especially if the siding is marred or dented. Spray application of the acrylic latex paint will provide the smoothest, most uniform appearance, especially with a satin finish.

Before you get to this point with homeowners, however, you’re going to have to introduce them to the idea that it is indeed possible to successfully paint their lackluster aluminum siding with a top quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint.

After all, many (if not most) homeowners are wholly unaware that painting aluminum siding is even an option — not to mention one that costs a lot less than the price of re-siding, offers an almost infinite number of color schemes, and lasts for a long, long time.

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