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Aluminum is a popular material for residential siding, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s extremely durable and attractive to look at. But it will look better and last longer with paint, and eventually that paint will need touch-ups or repainting to a new color. On the other hand, painting aluminum is not the same as wood and therefore, we outline the steps below to repainting aluminum siding.
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Putting on the First Coat of Paint
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Painting new aluminum siding is a straightforward process, however the key is priming and preparation. All of the debris must be washed and wiped off, and any chipping paint needs to be removed. In the end, the aluminum siding should have a clean palette. After the aluminum siding is clean and dry, the primer is ready to be applied. This is a step where we see a lot of painters, even professional painters, make a common mistake; they apply a latex primer.
A latex primer and aluminum siding do not go hand-in-hand because most latex paint contains ammonia. When ammonia and aluminum make contact, a chemical reaction occurs which produces tiny amounts of gas. Additionally, latex paint has elastic properties and combined with tiny gas bubbles, the primer will not adhere to the aluminum siding. To avoid this mistake, use an oil-based primer specifically designed for metal surfaces. Although oil based primer takes longer to dry, it is a smart choice to avoid repainting aluminum siding two years from now.
As with any painting project, it’s wise to begin by taping or covering any nearby surfaces that need protection. Two coats should get the job done, and while a brush or roller will work fine, using a paint spray is even more effective. Once the primer has dried, paint the aluminum siding topcoat with a 100% acrylic paint for a long-lasting finish you will be proud of.
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Repainting Aluminum and Cleaning
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Repainting is a little more complicated, because it requires careful preparation of the weathered aluminum siding. At the least, all dirt and residue on the surface must be cleared away first. Typically there will also be mold and mildew to clean away.
A thorough cleaning will begin with a mild cleaner to kill these growths followed by a careful pressure or power washing— all the gunk has to be cleared away, but too much pressure can dent or scratch the aluminum siding. This cleaning is followed by the actual repainting, and successfully changing to a new color may require three coats instead of the usual two.
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We Can Help
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That’s how the professional painting contractors at Zenith Painting take care of aluminum siding work in our Denver service area, from Aurora to Lafayette. If you’d like to learn how Zenith’s professional painting team can help you get your aluminum siding painted or restored, give us a call at 800-381-4601
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