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