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