Painting Chalky Siding

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Painting chalky siding.

Here s how to prepare the surface and choose your paint. If the paint no longer feels tacky or sticky it s completely dried. Wipe the surface with the palm of your hand. If the paint color comes off on your hand the paint is chalking.

It is also important to use a cleaner when powerwashing so that it will actually help remove the chalk along with the pressure. As a rule of thumb paint takes two hours to dry. Cover ground and nearby shrubs with drop cloths. Test old siding paint for lead using a lead test kit.

There are several steps in dealing with a chalky surface to ensure a long lasting paint job. This is very important because this is what actually removes the chalk before the primer is put on. This oxidation that occurs on aluminum siding results in the build up of a chalk like substance on the siding itself which can easily be seen by wiping your hand across the aluminum. If your aluminum siding has developed a chalky residue or is faded stained or just plain the wrong color fear not.

This is called chalking and essentially is the existing paint breaking down from the weather. The first step is the surface must be power washed. Scrub off the chalk with a strong solution of water and spic and span or tsp detergent or a nonphosphate tsp alternative. Some exterior paints such as those used on aluminum siding intentionally chalk for self cleaning.

By the diy experts of the family handyman magazine. Rub siding with cloth to check for powdery paint pigment and mildew. If lead is present contact a licensed lead abatement specialist. If vertical paint up to down.

If your siding is horizontal paint left to right.