Painting Aluminum Siding of your Home

Painting aluminum siding can be a very challenging task for the do-it-yourself homeowner. It takes skill and experience to achieve a beautiful, factory-quality result. There are several steps you will want to take to ensure that your aluminum siding project is a success. Aluminum siding has many benefits, including aesthetic value, and durability, but it is also prone to deterioration and damage due to weather and abuse from years of exposure. This article will discuss the necessary steps to take to ensure your aluminum siding painting project is a positive and successful experience. The first step to painting aluminum siding properly is priming and preparation. All the old chalkiness has to be scrubbed and washed away, and any excess flaking paint removed as well. In a nutshell, in order to get a professional-quality paint job, you have to start out with a fresh, clean palette. Once everything is completely clean and dry, then you're ready to begin your painting project. If you're painting the aluminum siding on your own, make sure you prepare your palette properly to avoid spilling or accidents and the use of harsh chemicals and equipment. After cleaning and preparing, it's time to prime and paint your aluminum siding. While waiting for the paint to dry, it's a good idea to lightly sand the surface and give it a good brushing to get any extra dirt or scratches under the paint. When you are ready to start painting the siding, it's important to remember not to over-prime or you'll get streaks and circles instead of a smooth clean finish. When checking for the accuracy of the finished product, you should place a small amount of paint next to the line you'll be painting to check for levelness and flow. For the best results when painting aluminum siding, it's recommended that you begin with an exterior primer before you begin any painting. This will help seal the paint and help prevent any unwanted spots from showing through. To prep the exterior primer, it's a good idea to first wash the surface with soap and water to remove any dust particles. Any loose or flaky dirt should also be brushed off before you begin spraying the exterior aluminum siding. After washing and drying the exterior primer, it's time to apply the exterior paint. Before painting aluminum siding, it's important to make sure that the surface is completely clean and free of any debris. The best way to do this is to clean it with a commercial-grade mild detergent and water. Once the surface is thoroughly clean, apply the primer. To fill in the grooves and depressions in the piece of metal, use clean rag or pencil to fill in any gaps. It's important to fill in the depressions and evenly distribute the coats of paint. Once the primer dries, it's time to add the top coat of latex paint. This coating will help the metal becomes even darker so that it matches the surrounding surfaces. You may want to allow the top coat to dry for a day or two before painting aluminum siding. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the top coat to dry so that it doesn't crack or chip during the painting process.