[mako1]

I am a remodeling contractor and do quite a bit of interior painting when it goes with the job.It's been years since I've done any exterior painting but have a job that requires it.
This is a small cracker box house with old 10" insulated aluminum siding.
Low budget .I will still do a good job and want it to hold up.First problem with the HO is that he wants it rolled.Said the guy at SW told him not to spray AL siding which is BS.Took him down the road to a house with the same siding I did 15 years ago and it still looks good.
I have a paint supplier here that is very good and helpful but seems there are a lot of new products since I've done exterior.
He recommended a Seal Krete bonding agent to go over the cleaned al.
Went to their website and could not find this particular product.The rep has always done me right and I have confidence in his opinion but wanted to hear from anyone who has used this product.
He recommended Pro Hyde for the paint as the best quality for price.
We also talked about DTM paint but I'm not sure about that either.
What do the pro painters have to say.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.

 

[CompleteW&D]

Years.... and I mean YEARS ago, my dad painted and hung wallpaper on the side. His dad was a professional painter. In fact, my dad's contracting company was called Williams and Williams. He carried insurance and was licensed even though it was a "side" business for him. I kind of think he wanted me to take it over some day.

Anyway.... one of the things he specialized in was painting aluminum siding (including mobile homes). I remember vividly how we would do it. We would wash the structure down completely. The next step, was a coat of Zinc Oxide Primer, tinted to the correct color. Then two coats of Porter's best exterior house paint (I don't remember the name of it - but the primer and paint was ALWAYS Porter). We would also always brush and roll. I brushed the laps and dad would follow behind me with a roller.

Of course, I don't think spray equipment back then, was what it is today. But, I'll tell you what.... I drive by a house every single day that was one of the last ones dad and I painted 20 years ago, and it still looks GREAT. He always claimed it was the primer. Of course, ZI-OH primer is likely long gone as well. But your thread post brought up some fond memories. I hope you don't mind me sharing....

 

[mako1]

Memories are cool.I used to use SW A100 primer on AL siding which they still make.Just a lot of new products on the market these days that could make the job more profitable for me and give better results for the HO.

 

[Metro M & L]

I pressure washed, sprayed and back brushed a house with two coats a100 exterior five years ago. Drive by it everyday and it still looks like the day I painted it.

 

[ModernStyle]

I don't prime aluminum siding. If its clean then I have never had an adhesion issue.

 

[Red Adobe]

Talk to the HO. I can understand why he is against spraying in general ( too many guys overthin ) But if you have a good rig then Sw or Colorado DTM will spray w/o thining or minimal.

 

[Jmayspaint]

Seal Krete Original is very good stuff for this situation. Its a clear bonding agent that will bind any chalk residue and give you a nice surface to paint over. If you can't find it, SW Loxon conditioner is similar, but I'm not sure if its specced for aluminum like SK is.

Seal Krete also acts as a primer for acrylic paint. I have used it for purposes similar to yours, as well as for older masonry surfaces with great success.