The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Repainting peeling aluminum patio roof

I HAVE AN OUTSIDE PATIO ALUM. ROOF THAT WAS PAINTED WITH LATEX PAINT ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. IT IS NOW PEELING AS I DID NOT PREP IT WELL I GUESS. I REMOVED THE PEELING WITH A WIRE BRUSH AND NOW I WANT TO PAINT IT IN HIGH GLOSS PAINT. I AM TOLD TO USE HOUSEHOLD vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] AND WASH IT AND THAT WOULD PREP IT! BEING OLDER I WANT TO DO THE EASIEST WAY I CAN AND REDO IT MYSELF. WILL THIS WORK AND HOW DO I APPLY THE vinegar AND DO I HAVE TO RINSE IT OFF AFTER? PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Angie Grooten
homeowner - Rockledge, Florida
February 16, 2011

---

Hi, Angie. vinegar is fine and you can dilute it 3 or 4 to 1 and, apply with a ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , then simply rinse it off. But if you are looking for the easiest way, skip the vinegar and just use a self-etching primer before your high gloss paint.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 16, 2011