How to Stain Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding can be stained any number of colors.

Depending on the size of the house, painting aluminum siding can take a long time. However, this is a job that most homeowners will have no trouble completing.

1. Clean the siding on the entire house to remove grease, debris and dust that have accumulated over time. Rinse the siding thoroughly with a bucket of water and scrub it down with rags and dish soap. Use a ladder if necessary to reach the entire area. Dry the siding with rags and then allow it to air dry.

2. Sand down the siding with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth out the aluminum. Rub in a circular motion, making sure to sand the entire surface until it is smooth. Blow off bits and pieces of debris from the sandpaper with an air blower and rinse down the siding with water again. Allow it to air dry.

3. Tape window frames, trim, outdoor lights and other fixtures to protect them during painting.

4. Prime the siding with a long-handled brush. Spread the primer over the siding until it is completely covered. Clean the brush and wait 45 minutes for the primer to dry.

5. Brush stain onto the aluminum siding. Cover the entire area with stain and allow it to dry. Apply a second coat of stain to the siding to give it a complete finish. Allow two hours for the siding to dry.

Tip

Do not attempt to stain siding if there is a chance of rain on that day. Any water can ruin the stain and it will have to be redone. Preparation is the key to successful staining. It is essential to thoroughly wash, sand and prime the siding before attempting to stain it.

Warning

If you wash siding with a hose, be sure the water comes out of the hose and down onto the siding, rather than shooting up underneath it from below. Water that gets behind aluminum siding can damage your home.