Repairing Aluminum Siding

Most aluminum siding joins together much like vinyl. Patch a damaged area or replace a panel.

Metal corner caps are sometimes used instead of corner posts for aluminum siding, and in older installations they were often used for wood or hardboard lap siding as well. If your local supplier does not have caps to match the ones on your house, check online sources; it helps if you know the manufacturer's name. In a pinch you can cut and shape a piece of sheet metal to fit, using an old cap as a template.

Aluminum siding can and should be painted. Scrape any flaking paint, and sand smooth. Pressure-wash and allow to dry. Apply an alcohol-base primer, or an oil-base primer that has been thinned with 2 cups of thinner per gallon of primer. Apply acrylic paint.

Prestart Checklist

Time
Less than an hour for most repairs

Tools
Hammer, tape measure, pliers, putty knife, nail set, linemen's pliers, taping blade, flat pry bar, tin snips, hacksaw, sanding block, caulking gun, ladder

Skills
Simple cutting and measuring skills

Prep
Check the siding closely for further damage to determine how large a section of siding needs to be replaced.

Materials
Butyl (gutter) caulk, replacement end caps, auto-body filler, scraper, sandpaper