how do I paint aluminum siding - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

FULLCIRCLE · 02-13-2009, 11:55 AM

I have a job that requires me to paint an entire home that is covered in aluminum siding. any suggestions on the methods I should use?
D

world llc · 02-13-2009, 03:43 PM

suggestion.... ah yes.... powerwash first......

ModernStyle · 02-13-2009, 03:49 PM

I usually use a good 1 1/4 nap roller and a 1 1/2 brush, comes out like glass. But then again I only use Behr Semi-gloss, if you go with cheaper paint then it wont look as good.

Brian Smith · 02-13-2009, 05:13 PM

power wash it then spray it.

ModernStyle · 02-13-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Smith

power wash it then spray it.

With spray paint ?

PA woodbutcher · 02-13-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FULLCIRCLE

I have a job that requires me to paint an entire home that is covered in aluminum siding. any suggestions on the methods I should use?
D

If you have to ask what method, maybe you should sub it out. Pick up a few tips from the painter you hire. You could cause yourself a lot of extra work...ever try to paint your car? What method would you use?

I have painted aluminum sided houses and I would sub it out at this time. I just don't have the equipment to do a proper job

Brock · 02-13-2009, 07:55 PM

good oil base paint add 1/4 pint of linseed oil per gallon. Make sure overnight temps stay above 50 farenheight. apply with brush.

**loneframer** · 02-13-2009, 08:08 PM

I had a 1300 square foot rancher powerwashed at 10 A.M., dried until 1 P.M., sprayed with acrylic latex paint by HVLP srayer by 3 P.M. and all the windowsill trim painted with an accent color along with aluminum shutters on 4 windows by the end of the day. Fifteen years later it still looks decent. Only downside is, it was painted in mid summer and aluminum siding contracts substantially in the cold weather, so in colder months every lap in the siding shows a narrow line of the original color.

world llc · 02-13-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle

With spray paint ?

dont forget to put masking tape on the glass so you don't paint the glass!!! i get the tan 1/2" tape cause it's the cheapest

just takes so long...

ModernStyle · 02-13-2009, 08:42 PM

They got good deals on that tape at Dollar General, they also have some nice brushes, and spray paint. The paint stores could learn a thing or 2 from Dollar General.

world llc · 02-13-2009, 09:00 PM

sounds like the place to shop for a cheap girlfriend.....

Wheelous · 02-14-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FULLCIRCLE

I have a job that requires me to paint an entire home that is covered in aluminum siding. any suggestions on the methods I should use?
D

With a product called tsp it comes in powder. 1gal of water 2oz of tsp 1cup of bleach and some gloves. Put it in a bucket mix it all together. you only want to do one side of the house at a time. Spray the house with a hose and then scrub the siding with a hard brissel brush with the mix. Then complete the whole house then pressure wash. Take acouple old towels and hand dry the siding with a hard rub. Then give one day to dry. Using a sprayer(paint sprayer) spray a Latex primer(exterior only primer) on any spots that are to bare metal or close to bare metal. You can get the primer tinted to one shade lighter than the actual color to help with the top coat. Then wait one day for primer to cure then top coat with a satin acrylic latex exterior only paint. I actually am a sherwin williams contractor, but I use a product from lowes when painting metal outside its called Severe Weather. Good Luck to you and the rest off the suggestions I saw on here I dont recommend. I dont recommend a oil paint and you never want to brush metal. Normally you cant rent a sprayer from a local rental store or a paint store. K&W Painting Lynchburg,VA

Brock · 02-14-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelous

and you never want to brush metal.

Damn, wish you would have mentiond that 25 years ago! (spray doesn't place enough product for me) I wont use a sub that sprays, but all of my competition does!

Wheelous · 02-14-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Damn, wish you would have mentiond that 25 years ago! (spray doesn't place enough product for me) I wont use a sub that sprays, but all of my competition does!

The only way you can paint metal with a oil base paint would be in the shade to avoid brush marks. Trying to time that out could take days. It the same concept as waxing a car in the sun. Oil base paint is gonna go on thick and streaky.

Brock · 02-14-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelous

The only way you can paint metal with a oil base paint would be in the shade to avoid brush marks. Trying to time that out could take days. It the same concept as waxing a car in the sun. Oil base paint is gonna go on thick and streaky.

huh. interesting. I'll have to remember that one!

ModernStyle · 02-14-2009, 04:22 PM

So no spray paint ?

rajpaint · 02-14-2009, 08:27 PM

Alum. siding repaints are my bread and butter jobs. 35 years in this biz. Judging, from what I am reading your best bet is to find someone in your area and to sub that job.

Bob Mariani · 02-15-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle

I usually use a good 1 1/4 nap roller and a 1 1/2 brush, comes out like glass. But then again I only use Behr Semi-gloss, if you go with cheaper paint then it wont look as good.

Just curious! Are you trying to be funny or is this for real? Cheaper than Behr is called water paint.

DRC · 02-15-2009, 08:18 AM

Powerwash, get an airless sprayer, take your time, 1 coat of acrylic bonding primer, 1 coat of acrylic flat or satin. take your time. use a shield. cover bushes, cars etc. razor blade and windex the windows after and let the HO see you doing it. It's faster and cheaper than paper and tape and will get you referals.

ModernStyle · 02-15-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Mariani

Just curious! Are you trying to be funny or is this for real? Cheaper than Behr is called water paint.

Behr is awesome paint, top of the line at Home Depot. Spreads like butter and lasts forever. Call Home Depot and ask them what their best paint is, they will say Behr. Behr is like the Caddilac of paints, these other guys are always knocking it because they know if the word gets out then everyone will know our secret.