Painting aluminum siding

[lakelover]

I just got a couple new replacement windows installed, and they covered the old wood framing on the outside with white-painted aluminum siding. I want to paint part of that blue so it will match the rest of the windows in the house - I have white replacements with blue trim around them.



I was thinking that I would lightly scuff the new painted aluminum where I want to paint it, and prime with an oil base primer. The paint I have is (latex) Valspar Duramax Paint + Primer and the directions only say to prime exposed nail heads with an oil based primer. I've already covered the nail heads with white latex caulking.

Since the paint has primer in it, I'm wondering if I can skip priming the whole area and just paint it directly. Anyone have experience doing this, with Duramax in particular?

 

[chimmike]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

If it's aluminum, you should prime with a zinc-based primer, then paint.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

If it's aluminum, you should prime with a zinc-based primer, then paint.

It's primed & pre-painted aluminum, just like siding. I guess my question is more about Duramax paint with the primer already in it, or any brand for that matter.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

You buy a good quality paint you should be able to just paint. No different than a mobile home of the 70's

 

[colbyt]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

It does not require a zinc based primer as it is not bare metal and probably would not if it was. This is a house, not a boat that will be in the water.

A few years back I pressure washed a badly chalked and worn house with 40 year old siding on it. In places it was washed away to bare metal. We did prime the whole house and paint. Both coats were latex, Ben Moore brand. It still looks great. Oil isn't needed as no moisture can come through the metal from the back nor penetrate to the substrate from the front.

They should have used aluminum or SS painted nails. The nail set tends to damage the paint. Those I would prime with any quality primer then one or to top coats on the entire thing. I do not feel sanding is needed since the powder coat .060 metal coil stock is not a shiny finish.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

Good to know. They used painted white nails, don't really know if they are steel or alum. The paint is partly off the heads from being driven in.

I went ahead and primed the area I intend to paint with oil based primer, Zinsser by Rustoleum. I'll paint over that with my Duramax left over from painting the rest of my trim last year.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

FWIW, I think it would be worth your time to spot prime all the nail heads....then just go over it all with the topcoat.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

FWIW, I think it would be worth your time to spot prime all the nail heads....then just go over it all with the topcoat.

I actually put a dab of latex caulk over each one then primed it all. I doubt I'll have any trouble with the paint adhesion now.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

I actually put a dab of latex caulk over each one then primed it all. I doubt I'll have any trouble with the paint adhesion now.

That's one step beyond...no worries!!

 

[colbyt]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

I actually put a dab of latex caulk over each one then primed it all. I doubt I'll have any trouble with the paint adhesion now.

Sleep well. You have done the best possible.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

Here's how it turned out. I did the smaller kitchen window first, and the only trouble I had was that the paint beaded up a little on the caulking they used. So for the larger one, I ran a scotch pad along the caulking, and reapplied the oil based primer. After it dried, when I painted it, the adhesion was good, so I just need to repeat the procedure on the other window. Thanks for all the replies!

 

[generator12]

Re: Painting aluminum siding

NICE JOB! Really looks good...!