How to Repair Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is a popular finish material used on the exterior of homes. It's durable and will last for many years with minimal maintenance. The most common problems encountered with aluminum siding are dents, dings and scratches caused by sharp impacts. Fortunately, the material is easy to repair. Unlike other types of siding, where an entire row must be replaced at a time, small sections of aluminum siding can be cut away as necessary.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal primer
• Paint brush
• Acrylic paint
• Steel wool
• Tin snips
• Utility knife
• Replacement siding
• Silicone caulk

1. Repair scratches and other small marks with paint. Prepare the siding by brushing on a layer of metal primer. Allow the primer to dry at least an hour, then touch up the area with a coat of acrylic paint.

2. Buff out rust spots, using a piece of steel wool. Wet the steel wool to make it more gentle, then lightly scrub the rust spots away. Follow up with a coat of primer, then paint the area to match the rest of the siding.

3. Cut away sections that are dented or badly-damaged. Use tin snips and a utility knife to remove only the bottom half of any section you want to replace. Your utility knife can be used to score the surface until you are able to use your tin snips to cut the section away.

4. Find a section of replacement siding that is similar to what is currently on your home. Cut it until it is a few inches longer than the piece you removed. Use your tin snips to cut away the nailing strip from the top of the siding.

5. Apply clear silicone caulk to the back of the replacement siding, then stick it to the wall where the piece you removed was hanging. Tuck the top of the replacement section under the row above, and press it firmly in place so it sticks to the siding underneath.

References

• Popular Mechanics