Painting 30+ yr old alumnium siding - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

FRAMERBEN · 02-16-2008, 04:38 PM

I am considering painting my house. It is covered with alumnium siding. 1. Is this material able to be painted? 2. What type of paint would be best? 3. What are some of the downfalls to painting alumnium siding? Any other thoughts appreciated. thanks Ben

DeanV · 02-16-2008, 05:00 PM

Powerwash it to remove the chalk on the siding. You do not want to be able to run your hand over the siding and have your hand pick up dust. Then, paint with a high quality exterior paint, BM, SW, Graham, etc. As long as the chalk is gone, there is no downside to painting aluminum. Easiest exterior paint job there is.

dincao · 02-16-2008, 06:32 PM

I agree 100% w/ DeanV that as long as you pressure wash entire siding that there should be no problems...make sure that any bare aluminium is primed and as long as you use a 100% ACRLYIC finish paint you'll be fine...You could use a primer for better adhesion put its not necessasry unless there is bare aluminium exposed...If you have any holes or dents you can use bondo to fill...It will save you a ton of money if its done right and look brand new...

firemike · 02-16-2008, 08:12 PM

I painted mine about 4 years ago, used the good Benjamin Moore exterior latex. Like the other said, powerwashed it first, patched the dents with bondo, Taped off everything in about 4 hours, sprayed the house in a little over an hour. Sprayed or brushed the trim color the next day. Looks as good today as it did the day I sprayed it. Most importantly, the wife is happy!

ibsocal · 02-16-2008, 11:06 PM

you should scuff the siding. brown scotch brite pads pole sand and wipe off areas that look oily with solvent or soapy dish water to clean greasey/dirty areas (beware of fisheyes)all coatings tend to run easier on siding so give it a tack coat 1st if u r spraying. also if u roll/spray it go back and check for runs 5 min after doing a section, fix as needed siding jobs can run on you if u never done it before.
i like oil based coatings over previously painted sidings frazee aeroplate works good but i'm sure the water based enamels are pretty good these days.yes pressure wash.and paint oppesite of the sun.+ what they said.

FRAMERBEN · 02-17-2008, 08:20 AM

thanks for the replies!!! I don't think that I will get my hands on a sprayer, so I will probably be doing it by hand. Do you thinki should brush or roll. It is about 8" siding. again thanks for the help. BEn

firemike · 02-17-2008, 01:36 PM

Get a good roller and cover, try 3/4 nap or so, and roll out a small section and use a good 4" bruch to backbrush it, will save you a ton of time. Also. ibsocal had a good point, work opposite of the sun. For the south side, do it first thing in the morning before the sun gets on it so you don't have problems keeping a wet edge.

mrpaintguy · 02-19-2008, 10:37 AM

Some food for thought, When you repaint aluminum siding do not paint it a dark color this will increase heat absorbtion causing more movement, also repaint when temps are ideally between 65 - 75 . If still chalky after you wash you may use flood's emulsa bond in the 1st coat or prime with peel stop, or peel bond primer before you paint.
And for GOD'S sake rent an airless sprayer for the weekend !(but watch out for the overspray).

DeanV · 02-19-2008, 06:42 PM

I thought the dark color warning only applied to vinyl siding. Aluminum really does not expand and contract much with temerature.

**Ed the Roofer** · 02-19-2008, 08:24 PM

Expansion and contraction rates.

Ed

Gutter Expansion:
The increase in a 50 ft. length of material due to an increase in temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Increase (in inches) Galvanized steel (13/32"), Copper (5/8"), Stainless Steel (5/8"), Aluminum (25/32") & Vinyl (1.92" see note below.) Wood (1/2") Wood expansion is influenced more by moisture rather than heat.

NOTE: Based on .000032" of expansion for one inch of material for every one degree F. increase. The expansion figure used for vinyl is a approximate figure. Test results range from .000031" to .000037".

FRAMERBEN · 02-20-2008, 03:47 PM

With the airless sprayer, am I going to be able to use a different color on the overhang without spraying what I dont want to spray. what should I paint first? I would think start at the top and work down( soffits and gutters then walls).

mrpaintguy · 02-22-2008, 03:51 PM

Smart thinkin do the trim/ soffit 1st, then the siding.
Be sure to keep the gun 90 deg to siding at all times , arcing the gun will create poor uneven coverage and a lot of overspray

mrpaintguy · 02-22-2008, 03:57 PM

A guy in my old neighborhood painted his white aluminum sided house dark green one summer, when fall/winter comes there are "white dashes all over where the siding overlaps" . Its been like that for 10 years now! -The house sits on a corner lot and is very noticeable.

mrpaintguy · 02-22-2008, 04:01 PM

p s I would pull the gutters and down spouts, you dont want to risk overspray getting on the roof-BE CAREFUL and mask well.

timmyjohn03 · 08-08-2008, 10:03 PM

I would keep to the tone on the siding. Different gauge sizes regarding colour, and quality can be a problem. Not as much for expanding, but it can warp if a dark colour goes on a too thin of gauge for what is the manufactured intended specifications.