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Yes. Aluminum siding takes paint well once it is washed, de-chalked and tested for adhesion, with bare metal spot-primed. Paint over chalk peels, so the prep decides how long the job lasts. Painting a detached GTA bungalow's aluminum siding costs $4,000–$9,000 before HST on our published price list.
Why does old aluminum siding go chalky?
The factory finish on aluminum siding breaks down in sunlight, and it leaves a fine powder on the surface. Decades of sun are the main cause, which is why south- and west-facing walls often look the most faded. Paint put straight over that powder has nothing solid to grip, so it doesn't bond properly and can peel.
Chalking:
a fine powder that forms on a painted or factory-finished surface as its binder breaks down in sunlight.
You can check your own siding in a few seconds. Wipe a dark cloth or your palm across a sunny wall. If it comes away white or coloured, the siding is chalking, and it needs a thorough wash before any paint goes on.
Aluminum siding is common on the GTA's postwar bungalows and semis, in areas like North York and Scarborough. Much of it is structurally fine. It just looks tired, which is exactly the case where paint works.
How is aluminum siding prepared and painted?
It is washed and de-chalked, repaired, tested, spot-primed where metal shows, then painted in two coats. The washing and de-chalking matter most. Here is the order a thorough job follows:
- Wash. Scrub the siding with a siding cleaner and rinse from the top down. Keep the pressure low and spray downward, never up under the laps, where water gets behind the panels.
- De-chalk. Keep scrubbing until a dark cloth wiped on the dry siding comes away clean.
- Repair. Re-fasten loose panels and replace any that are badly damaged.
- Test adhesion. Paint a small patch and let it dry fully; one major brand's data sheet says a week. Then press tape on it and pull it off. If paint lifts with the tape, the surface needs more cleaning, a light sanding or a bonding primer.
- Spot-prime. Sand off any white, powdery corrosion, then prime bare metal with a bonding primer made for aluminum.
- Caulk. Seal gaps at windows, doors and corners with a paintable exterior sealant. Leave the panel laps and the small drain holes along their bottom edges open.
- Paint. Apply two coats of 100% acrylic exterior paint. Spraying is the usual method on siding, and it gives an even finish when the tip size and pressure are right.
On our siding jobs, the wash, de-chalk, adhesion test and spot-priming are all included. The finish is two coats of 100% acrylic, sprayed and back-rolled. Soffits, fascia and doors are done in the same visit, so the whole house matches. For more on primers, see do you need primer before painting.
Back-rolling:
rolling paint right after it is sprayed, to work it into the surface and even out the coat.
What paint and sheen work best on aluminum siding?
A good-quality 100% acrylic exterior paint is the standard choice. It stays flexible as the metal expands in summer sun and contracts in winter cold. A low-lustre or satin finish is the usual sheen for siding.
Sheen is a trade-off. A lower sheen hides dents and waves in the panels better. A higher one sheds dirt and washes more easily, but it shows every flaw. Whatever the product, the quote should name it by brand and line, so you can check its data sheet.
Paint won't hide real damage. Deep dents stay dents, and a split panel needs replacing before it is painted. The upside is that a replacement panel in the wrong colour disappears once the whole wall is painted.
Is it cheaper to paint aluminum siding or replace it?
Painting usually costs less up front, but the gap depends on the siding and on what would replace it. On our price list, painting a detached bungalow's aluminum siding costs $4,000–$9,000 before HST. New siding is priced by the installer, and the material drives most of it. Standard vinyl sits at the low end, while insulated vinyl, steel, fibre cement and engineered wood cost more.
Get a written quote for each, and compare what you actually get:
| Painting your siding | New siding | |
|---|---|---|
| The old siding | Stays on, cleaned and repaired | Taken off and hauled away |
| Colour | Almost any colour | The maker's colour range |
| Dents and damage | Stay, unless panels are replaced | Gone |
| Insulation and housewrap | Unchanged | Can be added while the walls are open |
Painting makes the most sense when the siding is sound and you mainly want a new colour or a fresh finish. Replacement makes more sense when:
- Many panels are dented, split or loose.
- There are signs of water behind the siding, such as soft sheathing or stains inside.
- You want to add insulation or new housewrap anyway.
Can you paint vinyl siding the same way?
Yes, with one big limit: colour. Dark colours absorb heat, and vinyl can warp or buckle when it gets too hot. One major brand's data sheet sets a clear rule. Don't paint vinyl darker than its original colour, or below a light reflectance value of 56, unless you use the brand's vinyl-safe colours.
Light reflectance value (LRV):
a 0-to-100 scale of how much light a colour reflects; the lower the number, the darker the colour and the more heat it absorbs.
Check the siding maker's painting guidelines as well. The same data sheet warns that going against them can void the siding's warranty. The washing, testing and two-coat finish are much the same as for aluminum.
When can siding be painted in the GTA?
On a dry, mild day, with each wall painted while it is out of direct sun. One major brand's data sheets ask for 10°C or warmer on large areas of metal siding, even for paints rated lower elsewhere. Metal also heats quickly in the sun, and hot panels make paint dry too fast.
In the GTA, that points to late May through September. Our guide to the best time to paint a house exterior compares the months. If fall is your only window, read how cold is too cold to paint outside first.
How do you get a price for painting your siding?
Start with Get My Estimate for a range in about a minute. Then send photos of each side: a crew lead checks every surface for repairs, and comes out when the job needs it. Your written, itemized quote arrives within 24 hours of seeing the job, and it names the paint by brand and line.
Projects over $2,500 include a free 30-minute colour consultation. It helps when you're choosing a siding colour you'll live with for years. The work carries a written 3-year workmanship warranty. See aluminum and vinyl siding painting for what's included, and the exterior painting cost guide for how siding compares with other exteriors.