How to Paint the Aluminum Siding on a House

Choose a paintbrush that will promote a smooth finish.

Add color to your ordinary, drab aluminum siding and finish it with paint. However, before you rush into this type of home remodeling project, recognize the potential pitfalls. Aluminum siding is ill-suited for adhesion and will reject new paint unless it is thoroughly prepared. Therefore, first apply a base coat of metal etching primer to condition your siding, then apply a finish coat of paint. Employ a particular application strategy that will help promote a slick finish, free of subtle flaws.

Things You'll Need

• Water-based degreasing cleanser
• Coarse plastic brush
• Pressure washer
• Low-pressure tip
• Professional painter's tape
• Heavy-duty fabric dropcloths
• Metal etching primer
• Roller frame
• 2 nap roller covers
• Roller extension pole
• 3- to 4-inch synthetic polyester paintbrush
• Acrylic latex paint

Instructions

1. Scrub the aluminum siding with a water-based degreaser, using a plastic brush. Rinse the cleanser from the siding, using a pressure washer stocked with a low-pressure tip. Wait three to four hours for the siding to dry.

2. Protect areas adjacent to the aluminum siding. Cover them with painter's tape. Place dropcloths on the ground.

3. Apply metal etching primer to a three-foot wide area of the aluminum siding, using a roller stocked with a nap cover. Promote a slick finish by smoothing the wet primer, using a synthetic polyester paintbrush. Brush in a vertical motion, applying gentle pressure. Continue until all the siding is primed. Wait four hours for the primed aluminum to dry.

4. Wash the painting tools with water.

5. Affix a new roller cover to the roller frame. Apply acrylic latex paint to a three-foot wide area of the primed aluminum siding, using the clean roller. Smooth the wet paint, using the clean paintbrush. Continue until all the siding is painted. Wait two hours for the paint to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not paint unprimed aluminum, or the paint will peel.

• Do not use standard base primers on aluminum siding, or the finish will flake.