Plenty of 1960s and 70s homes in Prince George's, Montgomery and Fairfax counties still have their original aluminum siding. The factory finish has usually faded and turned chalky. Painting it is a good way to refresh the house for a fraction of the cost of new siding.
THE CHALK TEST
Rub your palm across the siding. If it comes away white or colored, the old finish is chalking. Paint applied over chalk peels, so the chalk has to go first.
- Wash with a siding cleaner and a soft brush or low-pressure wash.
- Rinse thoroughly and let it dry at least a day.
- Rub-test again. Light remaining chalk can be bound with an oil-modified or chalk-binding primer.
PRIME BARE METAL
Scratches, dents and spots where the finish is gone down to bare aluminum need a metal primer (acrylic metal primer or a bonding primer) before the topcoats. Bare aluminum oxidizes and won't hold paint well otherwise.
THE RIGHT PAINT
- 100% acrylic exterior latex in a satin or low-luster finish.
- Satin hides minor dents better than gloss.
- Two coats for full coverage, more for big color changes.
Like vinyl, very dark colors make aluminum hotter and highlight every dent. Mid-tones are the sweet spot.
DENTS AND DAMAGED PANELS
Small dents can't really be pulled out. Badly damaged panels can sometimes be swapped with matching panels taken from a hidden spot (behind a deck or porch), and the hidden spot patched with a close match.
WHAT IT COSTS
| Home | Typical DMV Cost |
|---|---|
| Single-story rambler | $3,800 – $6,500 |
| Two-story colonial or split-level | $6,000 – $10,500 |
| Add trim, shutters and doors | Often included; confirm in the estimate |
Compared with re-siding, which often runs $15,000 to $30,000+ for the same house, a proper paint job on sound aluminum siding can buy you 7 to 10 more years.
RELATED READING
CAN YOU PAINT VINYL SIDING?
Vinyl-safe colors, why dark paint warps siding, the prep that matters and real costs.
SOFT WASH VS. POWER WASH FOR VINYL SIDING
Why pressure isn't the answer on siding, what actually kills algae, and what each costs.
EXTERIOR PAINTING COST GUIDE FOR THE DMV (2026)
What exterior painting actually costs in DC, Maryland, and Virginia — by square footage, surface type, and what drives the price up or down.
Planning a project? See our Exterior Painting service page for scope, process and recent work.
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