Painting - Painting Exteriors Aluminum

I am repainting the aluminum lap siding with a spray gun. I have powerwashed and ready to paint.
1. What is the best kind of paint to use?
2. Do I need to prime (if so, what would be best) or will 2 coats do the job?

Use a good quality latex. Make sure all chaulk has been washed off alum or add emulsa bond to the paint. IMO priming isn't necessary. I've sprayed several alum siding houses, never primed covered 1 coat. One I drive by on a weekly basis, painted 11 yr ago and still looks good. Used SWP super paint.

:why_this: Curious, what is SWP paint? I keep seeing that posted in this forum. Where I come from, SWP means Saskatchewan Wheat Pool!!

Thanks, I'll be OK from here on.

Sorry 'bout that mjd2k
We get into the habit you know....
SW or SWP = Sherwin Williams Paint
BM = Benjamin Moore
L&P = Lambert & Pratt
There's probably a few more...

At the "SW" store the rep told me to mix the bonding agent at 25%,
The label on the agent says 50%
At the Glidden store the rep told me not to use bonding agent as it will void warrantee

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????



Quote: Everyone is right. Some only 1% and others 100%. Most are someplace between! :cool:

The amount of emulsa bond to use varies as to the condition of the surface being applied too. As the label indicates 50% is the maximum. I know the label says flat paint only but I have used ith with satin numerous times with no problems [mixed well]. Not had a lot of dealing with Glidden but am surprised they say it will void their paint warranty. Maybe they have their own product the wish to sell instead. :)

I wouldn't worry too much about voiding the warranty. It is just for the replacement of the paint and only as much as fails. It will be virtually impossible to ever get anything out of them without a great deal of effort. They make it not worth your while. Whenever you ad anything to anything including paint it is always your fault,even when it isn't


I would be much more concerned with the paint not sticking to the chalky surface. Just powerwashing aluminum siding will never remove the chalk. It needs to be hand washed with a pole and a brush. And there will still be chalk.

I would go with the SW paint and add it 25% like the guy said. Hopefully it will look ok with 1 coat.If not a second coat with no emulsa bond is in order.Just my opinion.