What Is the Best Paint for Aluminum Siding?

Aluminum siding is still a popular material for home exterior surfaces, from homes built before vinyl siding to modern-day barndominiums. Lightweight, durable, and affordable, aluminum siding has many advantages. The downside is that it needs repainting every five to 10 years. 

Typically, three types of paint are considered the best paint for aluminum siding, and exterior acrylic latex paint generally produces the best results. However, in this guide, we’ll cover more of the best paint types for aluminum, from acrylics to primers. Be sure to always check the label of any paint you buy to verify that it's approved for aluminum siding.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Paint for Aluminum Siding

Picking a paint to get the best results for your aluminum siding is about more than just the right color. The factors below will help you decide if latex paint, acrylic paint, or self-etching primer is right for you.

Take the following factors into account when choosing paint for aluminum siding:

• Safety: You may want water-based paint if you have pets or kids.

• Home size: Do the math of gallons to square footage before splurging for pricier paint.

• Condition/age of your siding: You may need primer if wear and tear has exposed the metal.

• Aesthetic preferences: Different paints create different finishes. 

• Coats: Most homes need one to two coats. Do a cost analysis on how many coats of paints you need versus product price.

• Budget: Research the cost of painting aluminum siding.

Regardless of what paint you use, proper prep is essential to a successful paint job. Be sure to clean the siding with a car wash brush and a cleaner like Simple Green® House & Siding Cleaner to remove any dust, dirt, debris, and chalky residue that can get in the way of your primer or paint adhering well to the aluminum siding.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is easy to work with, and it’s widely available from all home improvement stores. Acrylic paint like Valspar® SeasonFlex Satin Exterior Tintable Paint dries quickly and is easy to work with. However, the fast drying time means you’ll have to work quickly, too. Because once it dries, there’s no changing it or fixing it other than painting another coat over it. In terms of cost and coverage, 100% acrylic paint typically costs from $20 to $50 per gallon. Acrylic paint usually covers between 250 to 400 square feet per gallon.

Here are the pros and cons of using acrylic paint for aluminum siding:

Pros

• Easy to work with if you're not experienced

• Goes on smooth and level

• Dries quickly

• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Quick dry time means you have to work fast

• Hard to blend with other paints

• Impossible to alter once it dries

Acrylic Latex Paint

Most experts consider this hybrid paint the top choice for painting aluminum siding. Like 100% acrylic, acrylic latex is found at every home improvement store. Acrylic latex paint like Sherwin-Williams Weathershield Exterior Paint & Primer is the most popular choice for being easy to work with, kid-, eco-, and pet-friendly in terms of chemical composition as well as durability. Similar to 100% acrylic paint, acrylic latex paint typically costs from $20 to $50 per gallon and covers between 250 to 400 square feet per gallon.

Here are the pros and cons of using acrylic latex paint for aluminum siding: 

Pros

• Resistant to peeling, cracking, and flaking

• All the perks of latex without the bubbling

• Great adhesion

• Breathability 

• Strong color retention

• Strong opacity

• Easy to wash

Cons

• Not ideal for unprimed metal

• Slightly prone to rust

• Pricier than regular acrylic

Self-Etching Primer

Although self-etching primer isn’t your final coat of paint, it can make your final paint job more vibrant with longer results and extra protection. Found at most big-box stores, self-etching primers like Rust-Oleum® Flat Aluminum Primer help your chosen paint type to adhere more securely to the aluminum siding. As with any paint you plan to use on aluminum siding, check the container to confirm that it is indeed intended for that material. Self-etching primer costs between $50 to $65 per gallon.

Here are the pros and cons of using self-etching primer for aluminum siding: 

Pros

• Seals porous surfaces

• Done in one coat

• Sprays or rolls on

• Reaches hard-to-reach surfaces

• Prolonged results

• Protects against rust

Cons

• Not always necessary unless metal is exposed

• Messy application if you're not a pro

Acrylic vs. Acrylic Latex vs. Self-Etching Primer

Wondering which type of aluminum siding paint is going to produce the best results for your home? Depending on what you’re using it for and if you have kids or pets, one might be better than the other.

Differences in Appearance

Acrylic and latex paints come in a range of sheens, but the recommended range goes from satin or eggshell to semi-gloss to gloss. The best sheen or finish for your project depends on the weather your house endures as well as whether you have children and/or pets. Satin or eggshell is the most recommended finish due to its balance of durability and cleanability. 

Please note that self-etching primer is not a final paint coat and typically has a dull matte finish because it provides texture for good adhesion of a top coat. For this reason, the finish of self-etching primer is not relevant to the final look of your exterior paint job other than its ability to help an acrylic or latex paint to stick better.

Price Differences

As acrylic and acrylic latex paints are similar in type, the costs run roughly the same range but may vary depending on the brand. Self-etching primer costs a bit more, but the superior adhesion it provides between aluminum siding and the type of paint you choose for a top coat can extend the lifespan and durability of your overall exterior paint project.

Differences in Options and Customization

The options and customization for acrylic and acrylic latex paints come in the range of finishes and colors while self-etching primer comes in different colors to serve as an appropriate base.

Overall, among the different options for painting aluminum siding, each has its pros and cons and its own best use cases.

Easiest Application: Acrylic

Acrylic's ability to dry fast with easy clean-up makes it a dream for first-time DIY projects.

Best Environmental-, Kid-, and Pet-Friendly Pick: Acrylic Latex

Acrylic latex paint is considered an eco-friendly pick because of latex's water-based properties.

Acrylic latex paint is also the top pick if you want to create a safer environment for kids and pets at your home as most acrylic latex paint has low VOC levels.

Best for Durability: Self-Etching Primer

Self-etching primer creates a protective seal against rust and facilitates a stronger bond between the top coats of paint and the aluminum siding.

Best for Lifespan: Self-Etching Primer

Self-etching primer can extend the lifetime of your paint job while reducing the need for repairs.

Whether you decide to DIY or hire an exterior painter near you, knowing the type of paint that’ll work best for your aluminum siding project is essential.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Exterior painting is a job often left to the pros because it’s time-consuming, occasionally dangerous, and the quality of the work truly matters. Experienced painters in your area know what paint and equipment to use and are comfortable climbing a ladder to paint your siding. 

If you feel confident you can handle painting your aluminum siding, you can do so to save money. Just make sure to discuss this with the paint pros to ensure you have the right materials and take safety precautions. 

Cost to Hire a Painter

Labor is the highest cost associated with hiring a painting pro at $20 to $50 an hour per person. Some painting companies can purchase supplies at a discount for you, which can help offset their labor cost. The cost to hire a painter for your home’s exterior depends on the material of your siding—metal or aluminum siding costs between $400 and $3,500. 

Scott Dylan Westerlund and Josh Maday contributed to this piece.