Painting Metal Siding

There will come a time when you'll want to paint metal siding that you have on your home or building. Over time you will find that that the metal siding may dull or rust. Many homeowners think that it is difficult to paint metal but it really is a lot easier than you would think, as long as you know how to do it. The article that follows will show you how to properly paint metal siding made from steel and aluminum.
Step 1 - Cleaning the Metal Siding
Before you can paint metal it has to properly be cleaned. Metal siding is subject to all of the elements the world has to offer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. This type of extreme exposure will cause your metal siding to rust, accumulate a thin layer of oil or trap in moisture. In order to paint metal siding you first have to clean it. Use the pressure water set to low-flow. Spray the metal siding to clean the siding. Add liquid soap to the water and spray the siding again. Rinse the metal siding off with clean water. Allow the siding to dry before continuing. It could take two or more days.
Step 2 - Before Painting
Just like any other painting project, you need to protect anything that is not being painted. Cut and trim plastic sheeting to fit over all your doors and windows that are in the path of your painting. Affix the plastic sheeting using masking tape.
Step 3 - Paint Metal Siding
Before you begin to paint metal siding you need to decide what you want to paint with. You can use a paint sprayer (you will need a 5 gallon pail) or a paint roller with an extension. Pour the metal paint primer into the paint container on the sprayer or pour it into the paint tray. Apply the primer to the metal siding in even strokes with either of the implements. Start at the top of the wall and across the length of the metal siding. Wait at least a day or two before applying the acrylic paint to the metal siding. Clean the paint sprayer according to the directions and clean out the brushes and paint tray. Allow your equipment to completely dry. Apply the acrylic paint to the wall on top of the primer in the same exact way that you applied the primer to the metal siding. Wait for this layer of paint to dry then apply a second coat. Remove the plastic sheeting and masking tape.
Steel siding will require being washed with trisodium phosphate (use the paint sprayer). If there is rust on the steel then apply rust converter over the steel siding. It will turn the rust into a black substance. Instead of normal metal paint primer you will use latex bonding primer. The application and drying remains the same.
Source: www.doityourself.com
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Painting metal siding.....??
I've got to paint my house and it is covered with metal (aluminum?)siding. No, cant afford to brick or put up vinyl. I just thought I'd ask what would be the best way to go. Do you need to sand the paint on the siding? I THINK the white part is just the color of the siding and they painted over the 'beautiful' olive green with an uglier green with cheap flat paint. I'm going to paint it all a tan/taupe color with burgundy shutters/door and white trim. What's the best kind of primer to use for metal siding?
Also, I've got the old dark brown framed aluminum windows which I would LIKE to paint white
What is best way to paint rusting chimney cap?
Wood frame and sided chimney with old galvanized steel sheet metal cap. the cap is rusting and causing stains down the side of painted siding.
the metal is rusted to where when you run hand across it, youre hand appears rust colored but the metal does not have any holes.
will painting it buy time or should I fabricate a new cap?
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Jun 18, 2010 by honesty_counts | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
I remember a demonstration of vinyl siding that had a rigid insulation backing, it was shown to be strong enough to walk on without deflecting or being damaged in any way. Every few years (15-20) it seems that homes always need their shingles replaced, but the vinyl siding never gets replaced, so the next time a roof needs to be replaced, why not just use vinyl siding instead?
Vinyl siding IS NOT water tight.
Why shingle are not water proof they are if installed properly "water tight."