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Can You Really Paint Siding?
 Of
course you can!
If the outside of your home seems weathered
and dull, refreshing the siding will do wonders. And no matter
what type of siding you have, there’s a paint application
designed for the job. Start by cleaning with a power washer
to remove mildew, dirt, loose and peeling paint - most machines
have a number of spray tips to control the amount of pressure,
so use caution to avoid damaging the surface. If you don’t
have access to a power washer, use a flow through pole that
connects to a garden hose and a Dynamic Deck Scrub brush.
After scrubbing, rinse thoroughly. Always remember to let
clean siding thoroughly dry.
If the siding has existing paint that is
peeling or cracked, the surface will need a coat of primer
suited to the siding material. Areas that are peeled back
to the surface will need to be sanded and "spot primed"
with a latex-based primer sealer. Holes and gouges in wood
surfaces should be patched with Dynamic DynaPatch Spackle.
Aluminum siding dents can be filled with the same filler .
These products can be sanded smooth when dry with Dynamic
Aluminum oxide sandpaper and then primed along with the rest
of the siding. Cracks, joints and window and door openings
should be caulked. Dynamic Urethane Acrylic caulking compound
does not need to be primed before it is painted, and should
be applied to a primed surface rather than to bare surfaces.
Most paints and coatings can be applied
with a brush or roller. Use a good quality paintbrush for
the spot priming so as to work the primer into the surface.
Most exterior wood siding does not provide the best type of
surface to make using a full size roller very practical, but
a Dynamic Premium mini-roller along with a brush provides
an even, efficient application – and saves time!
Start by painting overhangs, then the main
surfaces from the top down, and then the trim. Finish with
the shutters, railings, porch, etc. Many people paint the
trim a different color than the siding. If that is your plan,
wait until the siding has completely dried before beginning
the trim. Then apply Dynamic EdgeWise low-tack painter’s
tape to protect the siding from the trim paint.
Paint exterior doors and window frames followed
by shutters. Shutters are easier to paint if you remove them.
Paint shutters with a brush, beginning with the joints where
the louvers meet the frame, then paint the louvers, and finally
paint the frame. First paint against the grain and then finish
by painting with the grain for professional looking results.
Let each wall dry fully before deciding
whether touchups are needed because the paint finish often
will look patchy or uneven until it has fully dried. Also,
avoid painting on the sunny side of the building to prevent
the paint from blistering.
 Tips
on Painting Aluminum Siding, Vinyl Siding and Masonry Surfaces:
Aluminum
· Before painting, remove any surface oxidation with
steel wool or fine
sandpaper.
· If bare aluminum is exposed, spot-prime the area
should with a top quality
exterior metal primer before painting.
· Glossier surfaces tend to highlight surface imperfections,
so if dents are
present on the siding surface, use a flat paint rather
than high gloss or semi
gloss paints.
· Always use top quality,100 percent acrylic latex
paint for its excellent adhesion
and outstanding resistance to chalking and fading.
Vinyl
· Do not wire-brush or sand panels in preparation for
painting as this could
permanently mark and damage their surfaces.
· Paint with a color no darker than the original color
of the siding. Dark
colors tend to absorb the sun's heat, which can cause
panels to warp and buckle irreversibly.
· Paint experts agree that quality acrylic latex paint
is the best kind to use because its greater flexibility
allows it to expand and contract with the siding when temperature
changes occur.
Masonry
· Allow fresh stucco to cure at least four weeks before
painting to allow for shrinkage and reduction in
surface alkalinity.
· Before painting aged masonry, remove any efflorescence
by power-washing, wire brushing, scraping or
sandblasting as required. In extreme cases, scrub with
a 6% to 10% muriatic acid solution; rinse
thoroughly.
· Coat unpainted masonry with a quality latex- or solvent-based
sealer to fill in surface pores. This will
provide a smooth, uniform surface on which to begin
painting. Rough surfaces, like cinder block, can
be smoothed by applying block filler prior to painting.
For more tips and all the tools you’ll
need, visit www.getpainting.com
or a Dynamic
dealer near you!
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