Can You Put Vinyl Siding Over Aluminum Siding On Mobile Homes?
It can be difficult to keep the outside of your mobile home looking good. If your mobile home is aging, the aluminum siding on the outside of it may be looking quite peaked, but what can you do about it? Can you paint over aluminum siding, or can you cover the aluminum siding with vinyl siding?
You can apply vinyl siding over aluminum siding, but it’s not recommended. It often leads to corrosion and rust buildup due to trapped water. This can also cause your wood to rot and more, degrading your framework’s integrity. Your best bet is to either paint the aluminum siding or strip off the aluminum siding and replace it with vinyl siding.
Is It Feasible to Apply Vinyl Siding Over Aluminum Siding on a Mobile Home?
While you can always put vinyl siding over aluminum siding on a mobile home, it is not a recommended practice. Vinyl siding over aluminum siding can trap water in between resulting in peeling layers, wood-rotting, moth infestation, corrosion, rust, and more. Once this happens, the integrity of your framework is lost.
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Is Painting Aluminum Siding a Good Alternative to Applying Vinyl Siding Over Aluminum Siding on a Mobile Home?
Aluminum can be attractive, but it dents easily. To cover these imperfections without using vinyl siding, you can choose to paint your aluminum siding. It isn’t a very difficult job, and it can help prevent corrosion and rust.
There are other reasons to paint rather than re-siding. Vinyl siding is very pricey and less resistant to weather damage.
How Do I Paint My Aluminum Siding?
You’ve decided to paint your aluminum siding. Wonderful! We’re here to help. Here is what you’ll need:
- A ladder
- Paint buckets
- Paint sprays
- Paint rollers
- Synthetic fiber brushes
- Oil-based primer
- Acrylic exterior paint
- Drop cloths
Step 1: Prepare the Aluminum Siding
Any paint that has begun to peel should be scraped off with a scraping tool. Then, with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, remove any mildew. You may need to use a power washer if your aluminum siding is too dingy.
Now, you’ll need to sand down your aluminum siding, first using 80-grit, then using 220-grit.
Step 2: Apply One Coat of Primer
Use a paint roller to apply an even coat of oil-based primer to the surface of your aluminum siding. To maximize drying time and be more efficient, roll only in one direction. It will go quickly, but don’t rush it. Plan to finish your project while the weather is mild, not windy or stormy.
Step 3: Apply Another Coat of Primer
Wait until the first coast of oil-based primer has dried completely, and then, apply a second layer. Your first layer should be allowed to dry for at least 4-5 hours before starting with the second coat.
Step 4: Paint Your Aluminum Siding
With long, even brushstrokes, paint your aluminum siding with a synthetic fiber paint brush, painting in only 1 direction and working from top to bottom. Make sure your paint is acrylic exterior paint.
If you plan to paint a whole side at one time, it will ensure you an even, smooth finish with no visible lines.
Step 5: Apply a Second Coat of Paint
Next, wait a minimum of 2 hours, and apply a second coat of acrylic exterior paint. Repair any imperfections as you go along. If need be, sand that area down a little and apply that second coat. Remember to buy extra paint for touch-ups.
Step 6: Check Out the Finished Product
Let that second coat dry for at least 2 hours. Then, inspect your work, spot and fix and imperfections. If any aluminum is still visible, you should apply another coat of paint.
How Do I Apply Vinyl Siding Over Aluminum Siding on a Mobile Home?
It is not considered a wise thing to do, putting vinyl siding over aluminum siding, but if you insist, here is the way to do it. First, you will need these supplies:
- A power washer tank
- A spray nozzle
- An applicator pad
- A bristled brush
- Detergent
- A foam roller
- Fasteners
- A hammer
- Vinyl siding nails
- Pliers
- A small nail bar
- A mask
- Glasses or goggles
- Gloves
Step 1: Scrub Your Aluminum Siding
Gear up by putting on glasses or goggles, a mask, and some gloves. Using your angled spray nozzle, rinse off your aluminum siding from top to bottom. Next, use your power washer with a detergent on the low setting, so the dirt will soak up the solution.
Allow the detergent to sit on the grime for a few minutes. Next, scrub the aluminum siding well and rinse it thoroughly all over with high pressure and a wide spray nozzle. Aim the sprayer a minimum of 1′ from the surface and face it downward. Then, let the siding dry completely.
Step 2: Ensure Your Aluminum Siding Is Corrosion and Rust Proof
Use a good clear protective coating applied with a bristle brush, applicator pad, or foam sprayer that’s set to high-density. You can even paint before applying the clear coat for an extra level of protection. Let this dry completely before moving forward.
Step 3: Apply the Vinyl Siding
Both vinyl and aluminum siding are nailed to a backerboard, so the first step is to remove the aluminum siding. To do this, at the top edge, work a loose joint. Using a wire or thin tool, work the lap joint loose, and unzip the corresponding joint.
Remove the fastener from on top, and work it out. Be careful not to crease or bend the upper section. Continue on by putting a small block of something like wood underneath.
Mark your siding as you remove more, working carefully and slowly, so as to not damage it. Don’t bend it a lot. Next, measure off and cut your vinyl siding panels according to their aluminum counterparts. Then, you just put them back on the same way you took them off.
You will want to leave some space between the nails, though, because vinyl siding sometimes expands or contracts due to changes in weather.
Step 4: Examine Your Work Looking for Loose Ends
Looking for loose ends is vital to the integrity of your framework, since moisture can cause rust and corrosion. Plus, a good strong wind can tear loose siding right off of a mobile home. Use fasteners to tightly secure loose ends. If you coated your aluminum properly and secured all your ends tightly, your vinyl siding could last for your lifetime.
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