One of the easiest ways to update your siding is to paint it. But if you have steel or aluminum siding, you may be wondering, “Can you paint metal siding?” Fortunately, we have the answers to your questions.
Here, we’ll cover whether you can paint metal siding — spoiler: you can! Plus, we’ll explain what types of paint work best and offer tips on how to prep metal siding for repainting. You’ll also discover common homeowner mistakes and learn about long-term maintenance tips so you can keep your siding looking its best.
Can You Paint Metal Siding?
Yes, you can in fact paint metal siding. While it can be a little tricky, with the right preparation and by following best practices, you can repaint your metal siding successfully. Whether you want to switch up your existing hue to one of the most popular siding colors or need to freshen up chipping paint, the options are endless.
How Often Does Metal Siding Need to Be Painted?
Depending on factors such as the type of metal and gauge thickness, metal siding may need to be painted as often as every 5-15 years. However, some steel siding never needs to be painted, especially ones with factory-coated finishes that can last 25 years or more. For example, TruLog’s steel siding has a 30-year paint coat warranty.
Poor maintenance and harsh climates may require you to paint some types of metal siding more often, especially if you aren’t fixing cracks and chips early on. To determine how often you need to repeat your painting project, consider the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How to Prep and Paint Metal Siding in 4 Steps
While it can be tempting to just dive in and start painting to match the latest siding trends, you’ll have better success and longer-lasting results if you take the time to prep the metal first. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to prepare the metal siding before you paint — and the best practices to follow once you get into the painting part of the process.
1. Clean the Siding
First things first, you’ll need to clean the metal siding. Depending on the condition of the metal siding, you may need to remove things like mold, mildew, and moss. In other cases, you may need to just give it a quick rinse to remove dirt and other debris.
Use a hose to gently wash down the siding. If you want to use a pressure washer, be careful to avoid damage to the metal or coatings, especially if you plan to paint aluminum siding, which can dent when exposed to high pressure. Use an angle nozzle and a low setting when you power wash the siding.
If needed, you can use a mild detergent for dirtier siding surfaces.
2. Sand the Surface to Improve Adhesion
Once the siding is clean, let it air dry or use towels to speed up the process. Next, remove any flaking, chipping, or peeling paint, and inspect the surface for imperfections. Look for any rust, chalky areas, and powdery residue, which are indications of corrosion or oxidation.
Gently sand down these areas to remove all rust, which can make it harder for paint to adhere properly. Apply a rust-preventative spot primer to these areas to prevent future issues.
Use a sander to gently scuff the entire surface of the siding before adding the metal paint primer, which will make it easier for the paint to stick to the surface. While this isn’t always necessary, it tends to make it easier to apply paint and generally ensures that the paint lasts longer.
3. Gather Materials
Next, start getting all of the necessary materials together. You’ll want to think about what paint color you want to use and get samples to test them out in a small section before painting the whole house.
Here are some materials you’ll need:
- Exterior metal primer
- Exterior paint
- Painter’s tape
- Ladder or scaffolding
- Paint sprayer, rollers, and brushes
- Paint trays
- Plastic sheeting to protect windows and doors
4. Paint the Siding
Now the fun part begins! Start by prepping the area for paint by covering all windows and doors with plastic sheeting and using painter’s tape to mask off edges. Then, apply a metal paint primer — following the instructions for application and dry time.
Once ready, you can apply the first coat of paint and layer any additional coats after the stated dry time. You may also want to apply a top coat to provide a more durable finish. Spray painting generally offers the smoothest and most professional-looking finish. Reserve the paint rollers and brushes for smaller or hard-to-reach areas.
What Type of Paint Works Best on Steel Siding?
When it comes to paint and primer, you want to ensure you pick the right one for your DIY metal siding paint job. For steel siding, you should use a high-quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint. Look for satin or semi-gloss finishes, which help water bead off the siding more efficiently and enhance durability of the paint long term.
Before applying the paint, you’ll want to use a rust-inhibitive primer like a latex-bonding primer to ensure the paint adheres properly to the surface. Alternatively, you can use a direct to metal (DTM) acrylic paint, which can be applied without a primer.
While you can technically use oil-based paints for steel siding, it’s generally not recommended. That’s because oil-based paints are more likely to oxidize over time, which can lead to color fading, brittleness, and chipping.
What Are the Best Maintenance Practices for Steel Siding?
In general, steel siding is low maintenance and doesn’t require a ton of upkeep to keep it looking its best. However, there are several things you can do to reduce the likelihood of regular painting:
- Clean your siding: Plan on rinsing off your siding once a year using a hose. If you want to tackle stubborn dirt with a deeper clean, you can use a soft bristle brush and mild detergent. It helps to make this a to-do list item either in the spring or fall when you do other home maintenance tasks.
- Inspect for damage: When you clean and regularly throughout the year — especially after severe storms — check the siding for any damage or imperfections. Look for dents and scratches, and apply corrective products to keep the siding protected.
- Avoid abrasive items: Try not to use corrosive items like de-icing salt near the siding. Don’t use wire brushes or other harsh cleaning products to prevent the risk of rust and corrosive damage. When pressure washing the siding, only use low settings and angled sprayers to avoid dents and scratches.
- Be gentle when working around siding: If you have to do home improvement projects, be mindful of your siding. Use pads or cloth to keep ladders off the siding and to avoid scratches. Be careful hanging any items like shovels against the siding.
Choose Steel Siding That Doesn’t Need Repainting
Can you paint metal siding? You sure can, and with the handy tips and tricks above, you’ll get the job done the right way.
But if you’re looking for metal siding that doesn’t have to be painted, try TruLog’s steel siding. It comes in fade-resistant colors and has a 30-year coat paint warranty against cracking, peeling, blistering, fading, and chalking. So you don’t have to worry about repainting.
Known for durability and high-quality products, TruLog offers siding in a range of styles to improve the look of your home’s exterior and boost curb appeal. From board and batten siding to log and lap siding, you’ll find an option that will keep your home looking its best for decades, without having to repaint it every few years. Plus, you can get matching soffit and fascia boards for a cohesive look and even less maintenance.
Download our free catalog today to find durable, low-maintenance metal siding you don’t need to paint!
