Tag Archives: Aluminum

Avoid Problems Painting Aluminum and Vinyl Siding

Avoid Problems Painting Aluminum and Vinyl Siding

Anyone with older aluminum siding is well aware of the paint chalking problem. Just rub your hand along the old siding and the chalky old paint will be all over your palm. Trying to get paint to stick to this could be a real problem. This is due to oxidation of the paint. Siding manufacturers originally referred to this problem as a “benefit”. They called it, “self cleaning”, as the paint literally washed off the house.
Older vinyl siding is also a problem. UV light fades vinyl siding over time and the siding becomes very unsightly.
Many unfortunate homeowners and contractors have experienced the dismay, when they repainted their homes, only to find the new paint peeling off a few months later. Both problems with older aluminum and vinyl siding can be overcome with proper cleaning, surface preparation and re-painting.
Cleaning
You will need to rent a powerful pressure washer with at least 3000 psi. You will want a pressure washer powerful enough to remove most of the old chalky paint off the aluminum siding or, to remove any dirt buildup on the old vinyl siding.
Start at the top course of siding and work your way down. You will need to keep the pressure wand fairly close to the siding surface to effectively remove the old paint. In some areas, you may find that the paint comes off to the bare metal. Be careful near windows, corners, soffits and doorways. The water under pressure, can be forced behind these areas causing damage. You can add TSP or other cleaning solutions to the reservoir for mildew, algae or other grime built up. If you do use a cleaning solution, be sure to completely rinse it off with your pressure washer. You should allow your home to dry for several days in dry, sunny weather before proceeding to the painting process.
If you are repainting vinyl siding or vinyl coated aluminum siding, you may need a surface de-glosser. This is a solvent type product used to remove any shine on the surface and to help your first coat to adhere better. You will have no trouble finding a good de-glosser at your local paint supply store.
Application
I like a commercial type airless sprayer. It will draw the paint directly out of your 5 gallon paint pails, through the hose and into your spray gun. These are available to rent at many tool rental locations and even some paint supply stores that supply contractors. If your paint is real high quality latex, it will be thicker than regular latex paint and will require a more powerful airless sprayer.
Priming
This step is equally as critical as the step above. Actually, the cleaning and surface preparation phases will make or break the results of your project.
I like a latex paint additive called emulsa-bond for the first coat. Emulsa-bond is a bonding agent you will add to the first coat of paint or primer, to help it to bond to the old siding.
I buy the best grade exterior latex paint, rather than oil or other solvent based paint. Latex paint seems to keep up with the expansion and contraction of the siding very well. The high quality latex paint I buy needs no primer. I add the bonding agent directly into the first color coat. Check with your paint supplier whether or not to use a primer. The rule of thumb is, when in doubt, use a primer. If you use a primer, add the bonding agent into it before applying. There are also bonding agents available for oil or other solvent based paints. One type is called penetrol. These are usually available at a painting contractor supply store.
Many contractors will spot prime areas, especially where bare metal is exposed. I don’t like spot priming because it can lead to an uneven looking top coat. When I put a primer coat on, I prime the entire home. This gives a uniform surface finish later on.
Finish Coat
Your top coat will be color only. You should check with your paint manufacturer to see if you need one or two top coats after the base coat. Like I mentioned above, buy the highest quality exterior paint.
In Conclusion
Proper cleaning and surface preparation are the two main ingredients to a successful painting job. A bonding agent in the first coat is also very critical to avoid paint peeling off later on. Using these techniques, I’ve re-painted homes that have lasted far longer than the original factory applied finish.
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Tips on Cleaning Up the Aluminum Exterior Siding

Tips on Cleaning the Aluminum Siding

Aluminum house siding was recognized to be maintenance-free, rot evidence, corrosion-resistant, water-proof – indicating there is much less headache for the home owner which it can be left to tackle the elements of nature without reducing its function. One nonetheless needs to take care of cleaning the light weight aluminum house siding from time to time.

In your plan to cleansing the light weight aluminum home siding, you can wash it yearly. Others also choose to cleanse it every six months, but depending upon your circumstance, you might have it according to your choice, as long as these are still aesthetically interesting one’s eye.

In cleaning up the light weight aluminum home siding of your home, this would certainly include using water, detergents and also a pipe. If you are making use of a stress washing machine, ensure to establish it at low pressure or you will find your aluminum nicked after spraying, or at other instances blown off. Be careful as well with your stress washing machine to ensure that no leak will certainly result. It is recommended to additionally make use of a soft-bristled brush to apply the cleaning service, and after which, you may after that hose off and also wash the area with water.

Before cleansing the light weight aluminum exterior siding, make certain that all electrical power outside for your illumination or what have you out there is shut off. Prepare the location by obtaining the items that are obstructing your path, as well as those that you might not desire to wet with your cleansing process. Windows and also doors must be closed as well as ideal secured so that unneeded water will certainly not be available in.

One of the most common problem though starts with the paint on these aluminum house siding. While aluminum may be strong sufficient to handle whatever nature brings, the paints sadly erode under the power of the sunlight as well as the rainfall. When based on such for a good amount of time, paints fades and peels. It chalks and even uses down showing currently the bare aluminum.

After cleaning the aluminum exterior siding, you might after that decide to do a repainting task. It may be sensible to hire a handyperson for this job or one who is certified to do it, to ensure that one will certainly get a good outcome after paint. For referral functions though, light weight aluminum house siding are to be fined sand with fine-grit paper. A steel guide is then to be used, as well as a finishing layer afterwards. It is best to get a paint that has the greatest quantity of acrylic paint material given that this type will last longer.

Fundamental Guidelines On Painting The Aluminum Home Siding

Standard Standards On Repainting The Light Weight Aluminum Siding

While aluminum house siding have been popular in the market, and also being advertised as a maintenance-free item, the fact hits homeowners when they see their house from the outdoors with the exterior siding currently having actually a discolored finish as well as chalking.

The option is not to take it out and install a new house siding for your residence; even more it is not a remedy to just allow it be, and hoping it would certainly look far better the next time you check out your residence home siding. Have you thought about painting the aluminum home siding of your house?

Repainting the light weight aluminum house siding, or repainting for that issue is the method to go. Not just will this be a less trouble on your component, it will certainly likewise assist you save more cash than having to place brand-new exterior siding in location. In this method, you also reach select from among the large selections of shades, that attract your preference which fits the style of your home.

The tricks to an effective paint job depend on the proper surface prep work, the paint process, as well as the quality of paint made use of for the work.

First as well as leading, similar to any type of paint job, it is suggested to have the surface clean as well as completely dry. Cleansing the aluminum house siding would certainly imply utilizing a detergent option or a top quality soap, whichever you have, as long as you get the deposit out throughout rinsing. The use of a hefty sponge and also scrub brush will likewise be essential along with a hose or a pressure washing machine. Be cautious with making use of the stress washing machine though, and also established it only at the suitable setting to provide you simply enough require fit for your washing needs.

After cleaning, as well as after seeing to it that the aluminum exterior siding of the house is extensively dry, then you can currently use the thinned metal guide, making certain it is tinted to half the stamina of the original color of your surface. Though priming is not typically needed for repainting the light weight aluminum siding with a top quality 100% acrylic latex paint, a good guideline is to prime when unsure. It is additionally an excellent suggestion to mix in a bonding agent for the priming procedure.

Application of the final finish ought to be done within 2 days after the application of the guide, as well as the paint must be a top-notch 100% acrylic latex paint. Using such in repainting the aluminum home siding will certainly give the most effective efficiency required for aluminum siding. This paint is durable and also offers a fade-resistant finish that can last for many years.

The paint might be applied by brush, however a far better alternative would certainly be making use of a spray. Repainting the aluminum exterior siding needs one to know what he is doing, thus you need to find out even more regarding this by reviewing reference materials, or better yet– let an expert do it for you.

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