Preparing Steel Siding For Painting

As long as the siding is clean you won t need to use a primer unless raw metal is exposed.

Preparing steel siding for painting.

Step 1 wash the siding. Cleaning of the surface can be done by hand washing with warm soapy water or with the use of a high pressure washer 2500 psi minimum. Finally since metal is such a good heat absorber avoid painting siding while it s getting direct sunlight. Generally you can use a 50 50 vinegar and water solution for all metal except galvanized steel.

Paints that are made for galvanized surfaces will require less prep work and will adhere better than other kinds of paint. A new paint job was the solution. Prepare a solution of tsp and water that is adequate for the area of your siding. For painted surfaces that are in sound condition remove dust with a clean dry cloth de gloss the surface with light sanding and wipe with mineral spirits to ensure good adhesion.

Then apply the primer to the metal siding in even strokes. Begin by thoroughly cleaning your siding of all loose dirt chalk and other contaminants. There are a few different methods of doing this depending on how good of a job you want to do how much time and energy you have and how large of an area you are doing. Check all the steel siding panels for any loose nails.

A thorough washing helps clear dirt and grime from your siding. The aluminum siding was a shade of beige that had aged into a dull mustard tone and the trim was a rust colored reddish brown. Do not use alkyd based paints or oil based primer. It is best to wear safety goggles and rubber gloves to protect yourself from the cleaning solution.

Some people use acrylic latex paint which is not designed specifically for galvanized metal so you will want to prime the surface before painting. The homeowners hated the look but the metal was still in decent shape and they didn t want the expense of re siding the entire house. Hammer all into place making sure all are flat to the. Start at the top of the wall and across the length of the metal siding.

For steel use a latex bonding primer instead of a regular metal paint primer. As with all exterior painting projects proper surface preparation is the key to restoring your metal siding. Follow the paint manufacturer s cleaning guidelines. Clean the metal to remove dirt grime and oil before priming with a rust inhibiting primer.

Place a low pressure tip onto the washer. Iron railings siding and so on. How to paint steel siding with the paint peeling step 1. If you are striping a small area then you can do very well with a bucket of water that has some bleach and tsp in it.

Set the washer to low.