How to Paint Aluminum Siding -- Plus Removing Algae, Mold, and Mildew from Exterior Siding
What's in this episode
Original Air Date: 07/25/26 Episode Number: 469 Episode Summary A listener question about painting aluminum siding kicks off the show, and Dan splits the answer across two segments with a detour in the middle: a full conversation on how to identify and safely clean biological growth off the exterior of your home -- algae, mold, mildew, moss, and lichen. The aluminum siding answer wraps up at the end with product recommendations and a strong case for always doing two coats. Moss and lichen get their own episode next week. Timestamps [00:00] -- Show Kickoff [00:30] -- Listener Question: Aluminum Siding [01:44] -- Oxidation and Prep Basics [03:58] -- Wash, Scrub, Rinse [05:42] -- Hand Test and Inspection [07:21] -- Primer or Not [08:11] -- Switch to Algae Topic [08:53] -- Brick Recap and What Triggered This [12:20] -- What Growth Is It? [13:32] -- Algae, Moss, Lichen, Mold [16:16] -- Efflorescence Sidebar [17:29] -- Moisture Causes First [19:01] -- Cleaning Safely Tease [20:01] -- Moss vs. Mold Distinction [21:00] -- Golden Rule: Gentle Cleaning [22:47] -- Pick the Right Cleaner [25:50] -- Prep Before Repainting [27:09] -- Hose, Not Pressure Washer [29:53] -- Why Not Straight Bleach [