cleaning and painting aluminum siding

[fransean]

I am looking for the best way to clean and paint our mobile home siding. I believe DH is going to rent a pressure washer this weekend because his attempts at cleaning last weekend we not very successful
He is looking for information on what type of paint to use. Also, if it would be better to use brushes and/or rollers or if it would be worth the cost to rent a sprayer?

TIA
Bev

[Bearfootfarm]

I think a sprayer would be worth it. Youll get a much neater job in half the time
I'd also get a GOOD aluminum primer and use an oil based enamel

[vicker]

Do pressure wash it. Alot of the aluminum siding made or installed in the 70's and early 80's the paint washes right off (oxidation). For a while there, there was a class action law suit and they would paint your siding for you. You wouldn't qualify for that I am thinking (long time ago). I would think you would want to use a good enamel but I am out of the paint loop and paint has progressed alot in the last decade. I would really research it, as few things (think marriage) can ruin your life like a coat of bad paint. Anything put on over it depends on its integrity.