Siding is a type of exterior surface that coats the walls of a building. It will save you more money to repaint an old aluminum siding than to replace it. The process is fairly straightforward and if you can take the time to prep and paint, it can be done by most homeowners without professional help.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Siding
Step 1. Make sure the siding material used is aluminum
Painting vinyl or other metallic materials that aren't aluminum can be very different, so it's important to know what you're painting.
- Steel coated with a shield should not be painted with oil-based paints. Many paint manufacturers recommend using latex paint for painting metal.
- See if the siding has been painted before, and what kind of paint has been used. If possible, take paint samples to a place or person who knows paint materials.
- Distinguishing aluminum from vinyl, especially if the aluminum is new, can be difficult. Check whether there are cracked or sunken parts of the siding. If the siding is cracked or damaged, then the siding is made of vinyl. Concave or dent are characteristics of materials made of aluminum.
- Try tapping the siding as the aluminum will produce a hollow, slightly metallic sound.
- Use a magnet to determine if the siding is iron or aluminum. The magnet will stick to the iron siding, but not the aluminum. Iron also has a reddish-brown rust.
Step 2. Clean the siding
It is best to use a power washer or a water hose that can spray water with high power. Position the sprayer from the direction of the rain as washing the siding from below can cause damage to the siding. If you choose to use chemicals, complete the final rinse to remove any residue as chemical residues can damage the painting process.
- If you find a stubborn stain, try to clean it with a laundry detergent that is biodegradable. Mix about 60 milliliters of detergent with 16 liters of water.
- Touch your hand along the surface of the siding once it's dry to check for calcification, which is common. If you notice something like powder coming off, don't panic because it's chalking. This lime is commonly found in the paints used to make aluminum. This powder-like substance functions as a siding cleaner. Just choose a detergent that contains TSP (trisodium phosphate) to remove limescale.
- Repair damaged siding by knocking out any dented or warped parts, or removing all parts that are completely beyond repair.
Step 3. Sand the siding
Depending on the size of the area you are painting, you may have to use a sanding tool. Always start with sandpaper with a rough surface, then finish with sandpaper with a smooth surface. Be sure to avoid scratches or special shapes or engravings, so as not to damage them. Wipe the siding after sanding, from top to bottom, to make sure all metal chips and chipped paint are removed.
- Use sandpaper with a rough surface (80 grit) to start with. Use coarse sandpaper and make sure to sand from the same direction.
- Switch to finer sandpaper (150 grit) and sand the siding a second time.
- If you want to use a sanding tool, be careful when pressing to prevent the siding from being damaged.
- Do not use sandpaper that is less than 80 grit as paper that is too rough will cause permanent damage to the metal.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Equipment
Step 1. Take a power/pressure washer or a washer that can spray water with high power to clean the siding
You can borrow it from a friend or rent it. There are many other cost-effective and effective ways to get a washing machine like this, especially if you only plan to use it once.
- Power washers can be rented cheaply at hardware stores, so try contacting local stores to inquire about availability and compare prices.
- Water pressure is usually measured in terms of water pressure per square inch, which generally ranges from 2000psi to 2800psi for gasoline-powered washers, then 1300psi to 1700psi for electric engines. Higher pressure means more power; but this also means more noise. Therefore, be careful not to disturb your neighbors.
- If not rented, don't forget to use good safety equipment related to the use of power washers such as waterproof boots, eye protection, gloves, and ear protection,
Step 2. Choose the right primer
Look for oil-based ingredients. Oil-based paint will absorb the existing lime pigment and serve as an additional protective layer from the outside elements.
- You can also use an acrylic primer, which will serve as a solid base. This paint will adhere to metallic materials and will not react to oxidation on the siding that may have been missed. Be careful when using acrylic primers, as these can only be paired with acrylic paints.
- Avoid using latex-based primers, as these usually contain ammonia which over time reacts with the aluminum to form microscopic bubbles of gas. This can result in premature failure of the primer coat, as it will remove paint from the siding surface.
Step 3. Choose the right paint
Choose paint that is specifically for aluminum, namely quality acrylic paint for exterior use. This is a paint that can last all season, so it lasts longer, covers surfaces better and is less likely to fade.
Stay away from paints that are too glossy, which can reflect the sun's rays. Choose a paint type that has an eggshell finish, which has a light sheen and can be cleaned, or a satin finish, which has a slightly glossy finish. This kind of finish or finish makes your home look better, especially for long-term use, which is better than a matte (non-glossy) finish
Step 4. Choose the painting method you want to use
Whether it's a paint brush, paint roller or sprayer, choose ahead of time and know how to use them efficiently. Using a paint brush, even though it is the cheapest, will take a very long time to paint the siding. On the other hand, using a spray machine is very time-saving but also very expensive. The medium tool is a paint roller. The price is not too expensive, and can also be used relatively easily.
- When you use a paint brush or paint roller, use a synthetic fiber brush or roller made of sheep's wool. The use of these materials will give a smooth finish on the siding.
- If you are using a sprayer, use an airtight one with a.017 tip, to make painting easier. You can indeed rent a professional machine in most areas, but it is better to compare prices and availability.
Step 5. Decide whether you will use the stairs or not
Painting with a paintbrush and sprayer requires a ladder. Painting high places on tiptoe and not using stairs will make the paint look messy and uneven.
Purchase and choose a longer stick to attach to the paint roller. With a ranch-style house, you don't need to use stairs and just use a paint roller with a long handle. If your house has many floors, you can slip (if using stairs) when you try to reach the top of the siding
Part 3 of 3: Painting Siding
Step 1. Polish the paint on the right day
The weather factor must be considered when you want to apply primer and paint. Each product usually provides a description of the air temperature range that is good for painting, but the basic rule is not to paint when the weather temperature is cooler than 10 degrees Celsius or on a rainy day. Moisture levels caused by dew or rain will damage the new paint finish.
When applying primer or painting, start from a side that is protected from the sun, as painting a surface exposed to direct sunlight will cause the paint to crack and bubble as it dries too quickly. Instead, any bubbles or cracks should be sanded down after the paint has dried
Step 2. Paint the siding with a primer and let it dry completely
After coating the paint roller with primer, push the roller quickly and with equal pressure across the siding panel. Next, pull the roller in the opposite direction in the opposite direction. This will ensure that the roller paints an even and perfect coat. Applying primer usually only takes a few seconds for every 30 cm of the painted surface. Apply at least two light coats of primer to the siding to ensure a well-covered surface.
- Don't worry if you see metal or previously polished paint seeping through the base paint. The coat of paint should be thin enough to dry quickly, but still visible to the eye.
- Always start painting from one end of the siding. The primer will dry evenly as you paint, if you paint from left to right, or from right to left, instead of starting from the center. This is an excellent way to prevent visible lines from drying out as you work.
- Give the paint coat time to dry completely, before re-coating. If you don't wait for the nails to dry, the paint may peel or bubble. A good drying time varies depending on the product. But usually a good drying time is four hours.
- Since the base paint will be covered with a layer of paint, applying it can be a good practice for the airbrush painting technique.
Step 3. Polish the paint on the siding
Paint in long, even strokes, and make sure not to overdo it. If the paint drips then you dipped too much paint.
- Start painting from the top down so that dripping paint doesn't ruin your hard work.
- If your siding is arranged horizontally, apply paint from left to right. If it is vertical, apply paint from top to bottom. This will ensure an even coat of paint, as well as so that you don't go through certain areas.
- According to the guidelines from experience, the paint takes two hours to dry. To test the dryness of the paint, touch the surface of the siding in an inconspicuous area with your finger. If the paint doesn't feel sticky or sticky, it's completely dry. That is, you can already polish the second layer.
- Plan your time off. A siding surface that is only partially painted and left to dry runs the risk of leaving streaks that won't go away. This can be avoided by finishing each siding during construction.
Step 4. Polish the second coat of paint
If there are lumps in the first coat of paint, the lumps can be removed with sandpaper before the second coat of paint. Carefully remove any lumps from the first layer, because if you sand them too tightly, your efforts will be wasted. Always check if the first coat of paint has dried, before proceeding to apply the second coat.
- While painting a second coat isn't a must, doing so will give it a professional finish. A second coat also increases paint resistance, and overall adds value to your new siding.
- If you notice streaks on the first coat of paint, this is because the painting process was too slow. The lines that appear on the paint color are from the paint that has dried but has been repainted. To remove lines, try to paint on a smaller area while you keep the edges of the area wet. Then polish the paint on the siding panel without a break in each polish. Carefully polishing a second coat of paint will hide any visible lines from the first coat.
Tips
- If you wash the siding with a pressure wash, you may still have to scrub off some old paint stains.
- If your paint is chalky, washing it with a pressure wash is the best method for removing chalk. However, check local water regulations as the use of outside water may be controlled during the dry season.
Warning
- If you have never used a pressure washer or power washer before, be sure to follow all safety instructions and test them first before you use the tool for actual work.
- The smell of paint and primer can be harmful to your health, so wear a protective mask to avoid this.
- Depending on the size of your home, make sure you have someone to watch over you when you use the stairs.
