Painting aluminum siding?

[wheezle]

A contractor just said that I could paint the aluminum siding on my house (from the '50s), and it would wear well and look better (it's kind of ratty looking right now).

Has anyone else done this?

[Jon Bon]

Yes, it looks pretty decent.

Problem with aluminum is that it bends and dents pretty easily, obviously paint is not going to fix that.

Personally I would have preferred to reside the house in vinyl but I did not win that battle with my spouse.

[wheezle]

Thanks! I'll keep this in mind.

Though I too am a bit more interested in the idea of new siding -- we'll see.

[Jon Bon]

Thanks! I'll keep this in mind.

Though I too am a bit more interested in the idea of new siding -- we'll see.

Honestly I got a great deal on a high quality paint from a high quality outift. It was nice because they painted all the gutters and trim so it made everything look much newer/nicer.

I think paint was 2500, and siding was 3-4x that? Maybe in a few years if it needs paint again I will do the siding.

[wheezle]

Hah! My gutters are in need of more help than paint, unfortunately. So that will definitely come first.

(The people who owned this place before must have had clogged gutters for a DECADE. You wouldn't believe what came out of those downspouts.)

[Dancin'Dog]

I've painted aluminum sliding.  Since it's smooth and nonporous it is very easy to paint.  The coverage per gallon is incredible.  I used a wide brush on horizontal siding.  I was amazed at how easy it was.   It's almost like you're wiping the paint on. 


I'd advise that you don't purchase too much paint before you begin, because you will probably only need a fraction as much as for other types of siding. 

[wheezle]

I've painted aluminum sliding.  Since it's smooth and nonporous it is very easy to paint.  The coverage per gallon is incredible.  I used a wide brush on horizontal siding.  I was amazed at how easy it was.   It's almost like you're wiping the paint on. 


I'd advise that you don't purchase too much paint before you begin, because you will probably only need a fraction as much as for other types of siding.

I'm liking the way this sounds so far, thank you!

[Sibley]

I've painted aluminum sliding.  Since it's smooth and nonporous it is very easy to paint.  The coverage per gallon is incredible.  I used a wide brush on horizontal siding.  I was amazed at how easy it was.   It's almost like you're wiping the paint on. 


I'd advise that you don't purchase too much paint before you begin, because you will probably only need a fraction as much as for other types of siding.

So compared to wood, 1/2 as much paint? 1/4? Can you give a ballpark?

[Cassie]

Our house was built in 1950 and we painted it. My husband hired a helper and they did it together with a sprayer. Looks good.

[ChpBstrd]

Also aluminum/steel siding will hold a coat of paint longer than wood, because it is not porous and does not expand/contract/flex with changes in humidity. The paint job on your metal siding might actually outlast vinyl siding, which deteriorates with UV radiation. I don't think 20-30 years is an unreasonable expectation. All for a shitload less work and money than a vinyl redo.

Wash with TSP and a good scrub brush / brillo pad prior to painting. Lighter colors and less glossy paints will hide dents better.

[Dancin'Dog]

I've painted aluminum sliding.  Since it's smooth and nonporous it is very easy to paint.  The coverage per gallon is incredible.  I used a wide brush on horizontal siding.  I was amazed at how easy it was.   It's almost like you're wiping the paint on. 


I'd advise that you don't purchase too much paint before you begin, because you will probably only need a fraction as much as for other types of siding.

So compared to wood, 1/2 as much paint? 1/4? Can you give a ballpark?

I'd guess it was a lot less than 1/2, maybe even 1/4.  I'd suggest starting with a couple of gallons and see how it goes. 

[Sibley]

I've painted aluminum sliding.  Since it's smooth and nonporous it is very easy to paint.  The coverage per gallon is incredible.  I used a wide brush on horizontal siding.  I was amazed at how easy it was.   It's almost like you're wiping the paint on. 


I'd advise that you don't purchase too much paint before you begin, because you will probably only need a fraction as much as for other types of siding.

So compared to wood, 1/2 as much paint? 1/4? Can you give a ballpark?

I'd guess it was a lot less than 1/2, maybe even 1/4.  I'd suggest starting with a couple of gallons and see how it goes.

Excellent, thanks. Always happy to save money on paint!

[Jon Bon]

I've painted aluminum sliding.  Since it's smooth and nonporous it is very easy to paint.  The coverage per gallon is incredible.  I used a wide brush on horizontal siding.  I was amazed at how easy it was.   It's almost like you're wiping the paint on. 


I'd advise that you don't purchase too much paint before you begin, because you will probably only need a fraction as much as for other types of siding.

So compared to wood, 1/2 as much paint? 1/4? Can you give a ballpark?

I'd guess it was a lot less than 1/2, maybe even 1/4.  I'd suggest starting with a couple of gallons and see how it goes.

Excellent, thanks. Always happy to save money on paint!

FWIW Guy before me brushed it on and it looked like shit (but everything he worked on looked like shit)

Pro's I hired used paint sprayers.

[Dancin'Dog]

Sprayers are great if you have a large area to cover.  The aluminum siding I painted was on a single story double wide mobile home, so it was quick and easy to brush. 

[Sibley]

I've painted aluminum sliding.  Since it's smooth and nonporous it is very easy to paint.  The coverage per gallon is incredible.  I used a wide brush on horizontal siding.  I was amazed at how easy it was.   It's almost like you're wiping the paint on. 


I'd advise that you don't purchase too much paint before you begin, because you will probably only need a fraction as much as for other types of siding.

So compared to wood, 1/2 as much paint? 1/4? Can you give a ballpark?

I'd guess it was a lot less than 1/2, maybe even 1/4.  I'd suggest starting with a couple of gallons and see how it goes.

Excellent, thanks. Always happy to save money on paint!

FWIW Guy before me brushed it on and it looked like shit (but everything he worked on looked like shit)

Pro's I hired used paint sprayers.

I prefer not to die. Not that good on ladders. Hiring painters, and it's just the window surrounds. Hopefully they have the sprayer.