Things You'll Need
Low-power pressure washer
Laundry detergent (no bleach)
Aluminum siding cleaner
Thompson's House Wash Concentrate House Cleaner
Extendable soft-bristled brush
Everbrite Coating
Coronado Acrylic House Paint
The aluminum siding on your home is durable and low-maintenance, and designed to last for decades. Still, over time the siding can become dingy and dull looking from chalking, oxidation, dirt and grime. To keep the aluminum siding looking its best, you need to clean it and spruce it up from time to time. Read on to find out how to restore aluminum siding and make it look like new in no time.
Step 1
Clean the aluminum siding with a low-power pressure washer. A third of a cup of laundry detergent mixed with 6 gallons of water makes a good general cleaner. To remove stubborn grime and stains, use a cleaner such as Thompson's House Wash Concentrate House Cleaner and a soft-bristled brush. When you're done washing the aluminum siding, rinse it well with clean water. Allow it to dry thoroughly before you proceed to the next step.
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Step 2
Restore the dull paint on aluminum siding by applying a product such as Everbrite Coating. This product will revive the color of faded siding. Basically, it can be sprayed on aluminum siding to restore it. It can also be applied with a high-density white foam roller, a foam paint brush, or wiped onto the metal with a pad.
Step 3
Repaint the aluminum siding to restore it if the existing paint is thin and bare in spots. Choose a quality paint that's designed to be used on siding such as the Coronado Gloss Acrylic House and Trim, the Satin Acrylic House and Trim, or the Flat Acrylic House and Trim. You won't need to prime the aluminum siding. This paint is self-priming. It can be applied with a paint brush, a roller, or it can be sprayed on.
Tip
Follow the manufacturer's directions on store-bought products in order to achieve the best results.
Warning
Don't use a high-power pressure washer to clean aluminum siding. The pressure can cause dents and dings in the metal.
Try a product on an inconspicuous spot on the aluminum siding first before you apply it to the entire structure. That way, you can make sure it's going to work as you expect it to.
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