Sand should be picked according to how much work needs to be done and how damaged the aluminum is.
Best way to quickly sand aluminum siding.
Rinse dirt grime and soap off using your garden hose directing the water stream in a downward path.
Mix the two components together thoroughly then push the putty into the hole with your fingertip.
Aluminum is also a very sticky metal and loads up cutting tools and abrasives really quickly.
The sand that can be used in a sandblaster comes in many grades which differ in thickness and abrasiveness.
It actually allows your random orbit sander to work faster.
Most sand paper is aluminum oxide grit so expect to use a lot of paper until you remove the oxide layer.
This goes contrary to popular opinion but it s a good method to remove material quickly.
While cutting at the width of the aluminum siding make use of straight tin snips.
Don your latex gloves again then pull off a small chunk of aluminum repair epoxy from the tube.
The best way to get this siding clean is to power wash it.
The speed along with the vibrating blades ensure that you get a straight cut.
So by increasing dust removal a vacuum improves sander efficiency.
But to remove deep scratches and stains it s ok to angle across the grain up to about 45 degrees for the initial sanding.
Use a nibbler to cut in a straight line.
A nibbler is made from two small blades that vibrate up and down at a very high speed.
Scrub with the length of the aluminum siding starting at the top and working downward.
Over time the aluminum siding builds up mildew and can begin to look chalky or the paint color may fade.
Check the label to be sure it s recommended for metal siding.
Wet sanding with soapy water will help with the loading.
The key to painting aluminum siding is to get it really clean and to use 100 percent acrylic latex paint.
Work fast because this stuff sets up quick.
To prevent the surface from drying out and having to scrub the area again work in three or four foot sections from top to bottom and then rinse.
Peel off any excess so the patch is flush with the front of the aluminum siding.
Have you ever wondered if you can paint aluminum siding.
Expect to pay the premium for good paint.
But when vinyl siding arrived in the late 1950s aluminum rapidly fell out of favor in part because it was prone to denting and its color faded relatively quickly.
The best way to address these issues is to repaint the siding.
Sandblasting aluminum with fine sand is best for small imperfections while medium is better for larger imperfections.
Keep the surface clean.
Connecting to a vacuum doesn t just cut down on dust.
