Aluminum wrapping's paint is peeling - replace or paint?

The aluminum wrapping surrounding one of my dormer windows is peeling. Not sure what is going on here, but this wrapping was replaced several years ago by my father-in-law, a siding contractor, for the same reason. And a few years ago he did the same to another dormer window next to this one for the same reason, but that seems to be fine so far. The dormers face the south, and get full-on sun, but if this weren't the 3rd time it's happened I'd think it's a product defect.

Should I replace the wrapping again, attempt to sand and paint, or... ?

 

What prep was done before they were painted the first time?

There is no reason you can't sand, clean, prime [might not be needed] and paint. A paint job on aluminum should last 10 yrs or more providing the right prep and coating are used.

 

I am having the same thing happen on several houses where the paint/vinyl is coming off the trim stock in sections just like yours. It's happening on material facing in different directions and in a couple places it's protected from the sun & weather under a porch so I've got to say it's just a problem with the product. Basically I've stopped doing vinyl siding except on houses that already have it or on garden sheds because of such problems.

This summer I have started trying to paint the areas where the vinyl has come off the aluminum trim. It will probably be a couple years before I can say if it lasts any longer than replacing the trim. I assume I will have a problem with moisture getting under the remaining vinyl paint and causing more big sections to flake off. I'm cleaning the area with alcohol then priming with oil based RustOleum and top coating with oil based RustOleum enamel paint. These paints have worked very well on outdoor steel things I have made but I don't know how to stop the trim stock from shedding it's vinyl.

 

AFAIK this is the factory finish. The wrapping that was replaced (on both dormers) was presumably the same, although can't say for sure if the previous homeowners did something different or had already replaced.

 

Latex paint is better for aluminum! If the aluminum flexes any, the oil base coatings will crack and peel Latex will flex a little and have a better chance of staying adhered to the metal.

Am I looking at the pic wrong? is that a factory coating and not aluminum that was painted to match the rest of the house?

 

Since it's a factory finish, shouldn't there be some type of warranty with it?

 

Trim stock for vinyl siding is aluminum sheet usually sold in rolls. One side is vinyl coated/painted and it's available in a variety of colors and textures. So, the finish is factory applied. Unfortunately when cutting the material it always leaves an exposed edge where moisture can penetrate between the aluminum and vinyl if the adhesion is not perfect.

I have had poor luck with warranty claims for siding products. First is to find the receipt for the material. Then hope the company did not go bankrupt during the economic downturn or that division was not sold to another company. If you do get the stars to align you will probably get replacement material. Yippie! If you had it professionally installed or by someone with a good relationship with the wholesaler/supplier that can also apply pressure on the manufacturer then you might get some compensation for labor.

 

I've asked my father-in-law about whether his supplier would honor a warranty repair; we'll see. Fortunately he has that relationship, but I also wouldn't want him to call in favors for small-fry items.

That said, any thoughts on how to seal the painted/coated side at the edge where it definitely seems to have a tendency to peel?

 

I'll bet Mark is right....coil stock normally is only carried in a few colors unless you special order.

That looks like white stock with grey paint. I've NEVER seen a grey vinyl window. The fake grills being white reinforces my belief.

 

I'm betting it's all white. The photograph and the camera's white balance making it appear a tinge gray.

 

Yes, everything is white, with the bare aluminum reflecting at the bottom.

 

Is he using a vinyl coated aluminum trim coil, or a painted trim coil. Looks like vinyl coated to me, and the black roof is just cooking it right off. Could also be a galvanic reaction if its touching pressure treated wood or a dissimilar metallic or alkali surface.