Exterior Painting in Redan, GA

Metal siding was popular for decades because its factory finish needed so little care. That finish does not last forever, though. After many years in the sun it fades, chalks and, on steel, starts to rust at scratches and cut edges. Exterior painting in Redan on an aluminum or steel-sided house can give it a uniform new color, as long as the preparation suits metal rather than wood.

Aluminum or steel?

The two look similar from the street but behave differently. A small magnet answers the question: it will stick to steel siding and not to aluminum. Aluminum does not rust, but its surface oxidizes into a dull white film and can pit. Steel is usually galvanized and factory-coated, and once that coating is scratched through, red rust appears.

We check the siding type on several walls during the visit, since additions and repairs sometimes used a different material from the original.

Heavy chalk is the main preparation task

Faded metal siding often carries a thick layer of chalk, the powdery residue of a factory finish breaking down in sunlight. Paint applied over that powder is only as strong as the chalk beneath it, and it can peel off in sheets. Washing with a detergent cleaner and scrubbing, followed by a thorough rinse, removes most of it.

After the walls dry, a quick test tells us whether enough chalk is gone: rub a dark cloth across the surface. If it still comes away white, a primer formulated to bind remaining chalk goes on before the topcoat.

Oxidation, rust and bare spots

On aluminum, pitted or oxidized areas are cleaned and lightly scuffed, and any bare metal is primed with a product suited to aluminum. On steel, rust spots are scraped and wire-brushed down to sound metal, then spot-primed with a product that keeps rust from returning. Panel bottoms, cut ends at corners and the areas behind downspouts are where rust is most common.

Surface condition varies a lot from wall to wall. Sides that face strong sun tend to chalk heavily, while shaded sides may show more mildew than chalk. Mildew is cleaned off and rinsed before any coating goes on.

Primer and topcoat for metal siding

A quality exterior acrylic is the usual finish on aluminum and steel siding. It stays flexible as the metal expands and contracts with temperature. Oil-based paints are generally avoided directly on galvanized steel because they can react with the zinc and lose adhesion.

Color choice has a practical side too. Very dark colors absorb more heat, which makes metal panels expand more and can stress the paint film at overlaps. Choosing a color within the range the paint maker recommends for metal siding helps avoid that problem.

Dents, damaged panels and repair allowances

Paint does not hide dents; a fresh, even coat can make them more noticeable. Small dents are often left as they are. Panels that are badly creased, torn or loose can be replaced, but matching an older profile can take some searching, so the estimate may carry an allowance for a set number of replacement pieces with a stated price for any extra.

Once replacement panels are installed and primed, painting the whole wall brings everything to one color, which is one of the advantages of repainting metal siding rather than patching it.

Caulk, weep holes and trim pieces

Metal siding is installed with corner posts, channels and trim that allow the panels to move. Those joints are not caulked tight. Gaps between window trim and siding, and around pipes and wires that pass through the wall, are sealed with a sealant suitable for metal and other materials. Small weep holes along the bottom of panels let condensation drain and must be kept open, so they are cleared and never painted shut.

DeKalb County permit questions

In Redan, which lies in DeKalb County, permit questions go to the DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Department. Contact it if replacing panels reveals damage behind them, or if electrical or plumbing work is added to the project. Our Redan remodeling services page covers other projects.

Questions about painting metal siding in Redan

How can I tell whether my metal siding is aluminum or steel?

Hold a small magnet against it. A magnet sticks to steel siding and falls away from aluminum. You can also look at damaged spots: steel shows red rust where the coating is broken, while aluminum turns dull white or gray. Knowing which one you have decides how rust or oxidation is treated and which primer is used.

Why does my aluminum siding leave white powder on my hand?

That powder is chalk from the original factory finish, which breaks down slowly in sunlight. It is normal on older siding, but it must be removed before painting, because new paint cannot grip a powdery surface. Washing and scrubbing takes off most of it, and a primer designed to bind leftover chalk is used where the surface still rubs off.

Can dented aluminum siding panels be repaired before painting?

Small dents are difficult to pull out cleanly, and filling them on metal rarely holds up outdoors. Usually small dents are left alone, while badly damaged panels are replaced with matching pieces. After replacement and priming, painting the full wall gives an even color, so new panels do not stand out against faded originals.

Bring new color to metal siding

Let us know about your house by calling 404-409-4448. We can check whether the siding is aluminum or steel, look at the chalk, rust and dents, and explain in a written estimate how each wall will be cleaned, primed and painted.