How much does it cost to paint aluminum siding?

Reviewed by Gianna Cappuccio remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Is your aluminum siding starting to look chalky? Sounds like it’s time for a new paint job. After all, your home’s exterior paint color is an important aspect of sprucing up your curb appeal, so you might wonder if it’s possible to paint your aluminum siding DIY style. The good news is that homeowners can repaint siding themselves or outsource the job to a painting company. The next question to tackle is how much does this paint job cost. In this guide, we’re walking you through how to paint aluminum siding and whether it’s worth it or not to start with professional painters at the beginning.

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Key takeaways: painting aluminum siding

• The cost to paint aluminum siding ranges from $1 to $5 a square foot, although most homeowners pay between $2 and $4 a square foot.

• While you can paint aluminum siding yourself, homeowners should consider hiring a professional paint company for a proper finish. 

• You will need a power washer to clean your siding beforehand.

• Painting aluminum siding is cheaper than repairing siding unless your planks have major damage.

• Skipping the primer can result in an uneven finish. 

How to paint aluminum siding

Although homeowners can paint aluminum siding on their own, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional painting company. Repainting aluminum siding is not as easy as painting interior walls. First, professional painters already have the right tools, like a paint sprayer, to make this house painting project quicker and easier. Second, painting contractors know what to look for in terms of repair and how to fix damage on your siding before painting. And lastly, professional painters know how to get the job done correctly. Since this paint is being applied along the exterior, the last thing you want is a less-than-perfect paint job that disrupts the beautiful aesthetics and new color.

However, if you prefer to do this DIY project, here are the steps you need to complete.

1. Inspect for repairs

Before painting, walk around your home to inspect the aluminum siding for damages like dents, cracks, and holes. This is an important step not to skip, so the paint applied in later steps creates a seamless look. Without repairing damage, your cracks and holes can show through the paint. Plus, this is good home maintenance. You can easily repair cracks and holes with exterior caulk but don’t forget to go behind with sandpaper to smooth the surface before moving on. 

2. Pressure wash

If you don’t have a pressure washer at home, you’ll want to purchase one or rent one out for this project. Pressure washing helps to clean the surface of dirt and grime to prepare the siding for your primer. Turn on the gentle setting and spray over the aluminum siding from top to bottom downward before repeating a second time going upward. 

3. Clean with trisodium phosphate

You can find TSP at your nearest hardware store, and it’s really effective at removing stubborn dust, dirt, or grime that the pressure washer didn’t remove. However, since some states ban cleaning products that use phosphates, you can look for an alternative called a phosphate-free TSP substitute that still does the trick.

Once you have your cleaning solution, wipe it by hand over your siding using a sponge or brush. Remember to wear a pair of kitchen gloves since you’re working with bleach. To reach the top of your siding, you will likely need a ladder.

4. Mask off certain areas

You’re getting one step closer to painting! But beforehand, one step you need to complete is masking off certain areas with painter's tape. Cover areas like the windows, trim, outlets, and other spots around the home that you’re not painting with painter’s tape or film (for the larger spots).

5. Apply primer

Now it’s time to prime the surface. Don’t skip this step, as it creates the perfect canvas for your new paint color to stick and pop. Mix the can well before inserting the paint sprayer’s tube into the can and spraying it in small sections at a time – ideally, four feet by four feet. Do this over the entire house and let the primer set for at least an hour before moving to the next step.

6. Paint the siding

After giving the primer time to cure, it’s time to apply the first coat of paint. While your primer is curing, you should rinse out the paint sprayer and its tube before inserting the tube into the paint can and spraying following the same procedure (four feet by four feet sections).

When you finish spraying your sections, it’s important to immediately go back over the paint with a back roll to ensure even coverage and that the paint is sticking. Once you’ve applied your top coat, let it sit for a few hours (depending on weather conditions) before going to the next step. Warmer weather can usually set first coats within an hour, while cooler weather needs closer to two. 

7. Apply second coat

With your top coat, repeat the painting process once again by going over the areas for a second coat. Spray in small sections before back-rolling with a paint roller. Then, you can step back and enjoy the view of your new exterior color!

Aluminum siding painting costs

The national average range to paint aluminum siding is between $4,000 and $6,300. Most people pay around $5,700 for cleaning and painting 1,500 sq. ft. of aluminum siding. This project’s low cost is around $1,600 for painting 1,500 sq. ft. of unoxidized siding, while the high cost is around $7,500 for cleaning and painting 1,500 sq. ft. of siding with multiple color changes and decorative trim.

Cost to paint aluminum siding by home size

The exact cost of paint for aluminum siding will vary depending on the size of the home. The larger the home, the more product is needed, which means the cost of paint will increase.

Aluminum siding paint costs by brand

Another factor that impacts paint costs is the brand of paint you choose. Here are a few of the most popular paint brands and their average cost of acrylic paint, which is the right paint type to choose for this project.

Other cost factors

House size and paint brands aren’t the costs associated with this home improvement project. Here are a few other factors that may affect the total cost:

• Primer: A gallon of primer averages $33 to $61, depending on the brand. While primer isn’t a requirement for painting aluminum siding, it’s a highly recommended product for proper adhesion of your new paint. 

• Labor: If you hire a painting contractor, know that most painters charge by the hour, with an average cost of $90 per hour. 

• Tools: Unless you already have them on hand, there are extra tools you will need to purchase or rent for this project, like a pressure washer, paint sprayer, paint rollers, a ladder, drop cloths, and more. Although some of these tools aren’t outrageous, everything adds up quickly. 

Is it worth painting aluminum siding?

Giving your aluminum siding a new paint job can be a wonderful decision to switch up your outdoor aesthetics, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the solution to fix siding when there are noticeable problems. For instance, painting your siding is a good option when it’s minimally chalky or fading in appearance, there’s minor damage, or it’s dirty and stained. If you’re having more serious issues like major dents or damage, the oxidation or chalking is too excessive, or it’s no longer structurally sound, then replacement is the better option.

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Frequently asked questions: painting aluminum siding

Is painting aluminum siding a good idea?

Painting aluminum siding can be a good idea if you want a new exterior style without the hefty costs of replacing the planks. However, since the aluminum siding is outdoors, you may find that painting requires constant refreshing after a few years to keep the siding looking in pristine condition. Additionally, painting aluminum siding can be tedious and a difficult job to try as a DIY project, so hiring a professional paint company may be worth it to save yourself stress and work.

What kind of paint will stick to aluminum siding?

Acrylic latex paint is the best paint to choose when painting aluminum siding since it adheres better to metal than it does on vinyl siding. It can also withstand inclement weather or impact a lot better, so you’ll have a better chance of having nice paint-coated planks for much longer.

Is it better to spray or roll paint on aluminum siding?

It’s recommended to mix spraying and rolling paint on aluminum siding. Paint sprayers get the job done quicker and evenly, but you should always go back over the section with a paint roller to ensure even coverage and that the paint is sticking properly. 

Should you pressure wash aluminum siding before painting?

You should pressure wash your home prior to painting aluminum siding since this step helps to clear off the area and provides an even blank canvas. Pressure washing also helps to remove build-up of dirt and grime that’s accumulated over the years that can impact the paint job. Remember to use a gentle setting so you don’t damage the siding.

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