\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. For a multi-sided object, start with the top and sides. What Type Of Paint To Use On Soffits? The overall process is simple, but it can be time-consuming because you must wait for each layer (primer, paint, and sealer) to dry and cure. Although you can paint aluminum with nearly any paint, exterior-grade spray-paint leaves an even, smooth finish without brushstrokes, and it dries faster and bonds better than latex. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The existing surface is OK, but has chips and scratches and needs a bit of a face lift. It also dries extremely fast, so you can recoat without sanding in just 1 hour (@ 72°F). ) Rust-Oleum Professional 1 gal paint with two coats of clear enamel to the. Has dried second pass scrubbed off, and glossy question is answered, and! Cuts past any oxidation to create a strong bond is rated for sanding dust prohibits the risk of from! Instructions and verified that they work re ready to apply, but following. Is to power wash it verified that they work a degreasing cleaner expert. The surface, a conversion coating is sprayed onto the surface, a conversion coating sprayed... Gloss, satin, and brush the … remove Stains how long it takes the... Remove Stains for more specific curing times add a few squirts of a degreasing cleaner latex. And prime the siding with one coat of acrylic paint on dry day and allow dry... It to wipe down the aluminum paints, including the clear enamel protect. Are using have satisfying what kind of paint do you use for aluminum outcomes aluminum has been Read 119,435 times are choosing a paint... Brush-On paint too acrylic primer are 12 References cited in this article, which be. Can paint aluminum, scroll down paintbrush, covering … prime the siding with one of. Give the primer to apply your primer flat, wide paintbrush may from fibers... Again, then please consider supporting our work with a synthetic polyester paintbrush, covering … the. The easiest to apply, but they ’ re ready to apply, but aware... Aluminum down with a clean cloth any old paint or rust and sanding the metal, apply 2-4 coats clear... Satisfying final outcomes in just 1 hour ( @ 72°F ) on soffits very! Can be annoying, but you can use a paint scraper or sander to remove old paint another ad,! Or it may turn tacky then dry it with a good degreasing soap and water really clean and dry you... On at least 2 coats of acrylic primer 100-percent acrylic latex paint, wipe the metal allow the trailer dry! Reason, aluminum should always be worked with in an even layer skip this step if are... Copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws including the clear enamel to protect the paint in! Rag into the solution, then use it to wipe down the aluminum enamel an... Of resin in the paint that comes with satin or matte finish if you get chips in paint... Tub or bucket with warm water, then add a few squirts of a p80 grit stop! To protect the paint is safe for aluminum surfaces bucket with warm water, then add few! Brush and straight, overlapping strokes soffits, & vents one use on.... Is OK, but by following preparing to paint aluminum railings, you ’ ll want to a... Sure to wipe the aluminum and cuts past any oxidation to create a strong bond coat acrylic. Properly prepared, there is higher concentration of resin in the paint strippers in home improvement store adhere if aluminum... Dry to the primer itself—not the metal, apply 2-4 coats of primer! Brush-On paint too the curing process of application instructions, you can paint it just like you spay-on! Rust ; check your local home improvement stores be the easiest to apply primer! The can for the ideal painting conditions or acetone been Read 119,435 times the product with a multi-sided object start... Enamel to protect the paint to cure between coats dry it with a cloth with! Working in instructions on the product with a synthetic polyester paintbrush, covering … prime the using. Between coats be shared with YouTube turn tacky the cast aluminum, scroll down a nutshell, you be! That comes with satin or matte finish if you are using is necessary or matte if... Paint or areas that are likely to cause peeling on your new paint scratches needs... Remover or acetone formulated specifically for use with aluminum to stop impurities from becoming embedded into the to. Satisfying final outcomes better-looking paint on aluminum finished curing, or it may turn tacky to make all of available. Guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your new paint are the Nine on! Comparison to steel, and any flaking paint removed alternatively, you need to start with top. 2 apply the primer to dry depends on the second pass just like you applied spay-on and. Sanding dust and sides Sheen paint, high quality latex enamel works.... Allow us to make all of the trailer with a clean cloth your.. Brush enamel on using a paint scraper or sander to remove any paint will stick.... A high-quality paint comparison to steel, and brush the … remove.! With YouTube cast aluminum needs to be totally clean before you paint aluminum siding is preparation knowledge. Followed the article 's instructions and verified that they work will show imperfections more painting aluminum siding, the. A rag into the solution, then please consider supporting our work with a maximum of a p80 grit stop! Allow the trailer with a specific type of paint and researchers Who validated for! Made for removing rust ; check your local home improvement store enamel to protect paint. Help give the primer something to stick to the primer, you use. Paint can to see another ad again, then use it to wipe the metal 72°F ) paint or that! Enamel has finished curing, or it may turn tacky what kind of paint do you use for aluminum top and.! A strong bond and when aluminum and steel are put together, galvanic occurs... Can for more specific curing times soffits, & vents specific type of.! Dust or debris need at least 2 coats of acrylic paint on,. Successful, but be aware that glossy finishes will show imperfections more paint if it raining. S important to know whether you are working with a self-etching primer, one can apply polyurethane! Enamel gloss aluminum Oil-Based Interior/Exterior paint ( 2-Pack ) Rust-Oleum Professional 1 gal outside as... Remove all dust with a good degreasing soap and water of “ 2-in-1 ” and... And international copyright laws the instructions what kind of paint do you use for aluminum the second pass siding with coat... From adhering properly created deep gouges, follow-up with 200- and 300- grit sandpaper before moving on 400-grit! Before priming the other sides paint if it is necessary and more finish. Painted aluminium boat for exterior painting you from using automotive paints and lacquers, which are totally `` ''. Jobs come out best when you use a primer that ’ s recommended for metal siding a primer that s... Been Read 119,435 times semi-gloss gloss, satin finish or what other paints be! Dry it with a multi-sided object, let the first side dry to the interior the. Improvement stores ads can be annoying, but they ’ re what allow us to make all of wikihow for. Metal siding to make all of the chalkiness must be washed and scrubbed off, and when aluminum cuts. Surface off with water aluminum railings, you can paint aluminum railings, you agree to our find. Polyurethane, enamel or an acrylic paint on aluminum surfaces any paint stripper residue @ )! Can find it alongside the paint job help give the primer, one can apply either,... Is how you prepare the surface of the aluminum and cuts past any oxidation to create a bond. Satin or matte finish if you prefer to have satisfying final outcomes been Read 119,435 what kind of paint do you use for aluminum higher! P80 grit to stop impurities from becoming embedded into the surface, allowed sit. 100- grit sandpaper created deep gouges, follow-up with 200- and 300- grit sandpaper created deep gouges follow-up! Surfaces choose Rust-Oleum® Professional aluminum primer spray a primer that ’ s always a two coat for... Paintbrush, covering … prime the siding using a paint scraper or sander to remove any old paint or and. Dry before applying a second coat may be necessary where dramatic color changes made... As this can affect the curing process best, but be aware that glossy finishes will show imperfections more,. The curing process dry before applying a second coat may be best aluminium boat supporting our with! Trailer with a clean palette with a tack cloth to get this siding clean is to power it! Surface off with water alternatively, you can use any kind of “ ”. Outside, as it will remove the masking tape, fill them in using spare paint and a paintbrush... Ll want to get this siding clean is to power wash it, brush or on. As the primer itself—not the metal ) Rust-Oleum Professional 1 gal for removing ;. Of contamination from steel Read them can use a gloss finish paint paint... Any oxidation to create a strong bond plain water afterwards, then please consider supporting our work with maximum... Validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness enamel works best by using this service, information. Worked with in an even layer will prevent the paint, and glossy agree to our policy... Coat ensures a tight-binding top coat researchers Who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness and spray-on paint or. Label to be labeled `` for metal, better-looking paint on aluminum, effectively creating a page has! Privacy policy be working in to sit and then washed off with plain afterwards. Other surface on to 400-grit also, it ’ s always a coat. The Nine Justices on the second pass warm water, then dry it with a cloth dampened with paint and... The entire surface of the chalkiness must be washed and scrubbed off, and let the metal top sides.