Avoid Problems Painting Aluminum and Vinyl Siding

Anyone with older aluminum siding is well aware ofrent at many tool rental locations and even some
the paint chalking problem. Just rub your hand alongpaint supply stores that supply contractors. If your
the old siding and the chalky old paint will be all overpaint is real high quality latex, it will be thicker than
your palm. Trying to get paint to stick to this couldregular latex paint and will require a more powerful
be a real problem. This is due to oxidation of theairless sprayer. Priming This step is equally as critical
paint. Siding manufacturers originally referred to thisas 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 vinylyour project. I like a latex paint additive called
siding is also a problem. UV light fades vinyl sidingemulsa-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 haveor primer, to help it to bond to the old siding. I buy
experienced the dismay, when they repainted theirthe best grade exterior latex paint, rather than oil or
homes, only to find the new paint peeling off a fewother solvent based paint. Latex paint seems to keep
months later. Both problems with older aluminum andup 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 willprimer. I add the bonding agent directly into the first
need to rent a powerful pressure washer with atcolor coat. Check with your paint supplier whether or
least 3000 psi. You will want a pressure washernot to use a primer. The rule of thumb is, when in
powerful enough to remove most of the old chalkydoubt, use a primer. If you use a primer, add the
paint off the aluminum siding or, to remove any dirtbonding agent into it before applying. There are also
buildup on the old vinyl siding. Start at the top coursebonding agents available for oil or other solvent based
of siding and work your way down. You will need topaints. One type is called penetrol. These are usually
keep the pressure wand fairly close to the sidingavailable at a painting contractor supply store. Many
surface to effectively remove the old paint. In somecontractors will spot prime areas, especially where
areas, you may find that the paint comes off to thebare metal is exposed. I don't like spot priming
bare metal. Be careful near windows, corners, soffitsbecause it can lead to an uneven looking top coat.
and doorways. The water under pressure, can beWhen I put a primer coat on, I prime the entire
forced behind these areas causing damage. You canhome. This gives a uniform surface finish later on.
add TSP or other cleaning solutions to the reservoirFinish Coat Your top coat will be color only. You
for mildew, algae or other grime built up. If you doshould check with your paint manufacturer to see if
use a cleaning solution, be sure to completely rinse ityou need one or two top coats after the base coat.
off with your pressure washer. You should allow yourLike I mentioned above, buy the highest quality
home to dry for several days in dry, sunny weatherexterior paint. In Conclusion Proper cleaning and
before proceeding to the painting process. If you aresurface 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 solventcoat is also very critical to avoid paint peeling off
type product used to remove any shine on thelater 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 atfactory applied finish. ARTICLE REPRINT
your local paint supply store. Application I like aPERMISSION You may reprint the above article in
commercial type airless sprayer. It will draw the paintyour electronic or print newsletter; however, please
directly out of your 5 gallon paint pails, through theinclude my byline and bio and keep the article intact. I
hose and into your spray gun. These are available toretain all copyrights.