How do you fix a hole in aluminum siding in an RV?

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 05/09/2021 | Next review date: 05/09/2023
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Elaine Knight
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In this article, we will answer the following question: How do you fix a hole in aluminum siding in an RV? We will also discuss how we repair oxidized and damaged aluminium siding in an RV. 

How do you fix a hole in aluminum siding in an RV?

How you fix a hole in aluminium siding in an RV will depend on the severity of the damage. Please see the table below for more details. 

Type of damage in the RV aluminum sidingHow to fix the hole  in the RV aluminum siding
Small cracks or holes in the RV aluminium sidingYou can repair any scratches or small cracks without removing the wall covering panel.
To repair a small scratch in an aluminum siding, all you need to do is:
Sand;Apply a metallic primer;Brush a dab of the corresponding acrylic latex paint.
Deep holes in the RV aluminium sidingTo repair a deep crack in the aluminium siding:
Use a toothpick to gently peel off one side of the crack;Apply some PVC glue with a vinyl siding repair kit;Press the crack to close it.
A large hole in the RV aluminium sidingFor a larger crack in aluminium siding:
Place a patch on the back of the panel using an aluminium siding repair kit;Remove the damaged panel and turn it over;Prepare the back of the panel with PVC cleaner;Apply a little PVC cement and press down on the patch, varnish side down;Replace the panel.
A dent in the RV aluminium sidingIt’s not unusual for aluminum siding to be dented, but removing a dent is fairly easy.
Simply drill a 3mm hole in the deepest part of the dent;Place a sheet metal screw with a flat washer and use pliers to pull the screw towards you, taking the dent with it;Remove the screw, fill the screw hole and any remaining depression with a dent remover and sand it so that it is smooth;Apply a metallic primer and two coats of the corresponding spray paint.

Fix a small hole in aluminum siding in an RV step-by-step guide

Aluminum is a flexible metal in the field of transport. Its characteristics, especially low density and corrosion resistance make it a popular and useful material. Aluminum is also 100% recyclable and can easily be repaired. If you want to fix your aluminum siding or repair your aluminum RV, you may know how to fix the holes in the aluminum.

  1. Clean the area around the hole in the aluminum with a sponge dipped in water mixed with liquid detergent. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove detergent, dirt and debris. If the hole has pieces of aluminum lifted around it, like the shutters, press them down to cover part of the hole to minimize damage; if the shutters are badly damaged or uneven, it is best to remove them with tin snips or a similar tool.
  1. Mix the epoxy according to package directions. Stir the mixture with a putty knife. Apply the epoxy mixture to the hole, precisely covering it as transparently as possible. Allow the epoxy to dry, harden, and cure thoroughly for at least an hour.
  1. Apply the epoxy mixture to the hole, precisely covering it as transparent as possible. Use the putty knife to pry the epoxy off the surface of the aluminum. Allow the epoxy to dry, harden, and cure thoroughly for at least an hour.
  1. Treat the damaged area and surrounding area with a fine-grit sandpaper.

Fix a large hole in aluminum siding in an RV step-by-step guide

  1. Cut a piece of aluminum approximately one ”larger than the hole, using tin snips. Place the patch over the hole, now with steel pliers.
  1.  Weld the patch onto the aluminum with a propane torch. Heat the torch and start welding all around the edges. Continue to melt the metal and mix the patch together with the aluminum surface until the hole is repaired. Allow the repaired area to cool completely and heal.
  1. Sand the repaired area with sandpaper, starting with coarse grit and before moving to fine grit. Make the patched area blend seamlessly into the aluminum surface as much as you can. Paint the entire surface, using metal paint and a paintbrush, to cover the damage and refresh the appearance of the aluminum.

How to repair oxidized and damaged RV aluminum siding

RV siding and shutters for pots and pans, aluminum has a multitude of uses in and around the house. While versatile, aluminum is relatively flexible and easily susceptible to damage on impact, as well as from exposure to the elements. 

Unprotected aluminum oxide, leaving an unsightly chalky appearance. Severely damaged aluminum may require professional replacement. You can do small repairs and generally restore aluminum surfaces with a few heavy-duty cleaning.

Here’s how you properly clean aluminium RV siding:

  1. Put on rubber gloves and eye protection.
  1. Scrub the surface for all dirt, debris and oxidation. Mix together any regular detergent or TSP with hot water in a large bucket. Add bleach to the mixture if mould is present. Use a long-handled brush to clean off any surface dirt. Scrub from bottom to top to avoid dirty water drops that can attack the surface.
  1. Rinse each section with a garden hose before starting the next to prevent dirt from evaporating on the surface of the aluminum.

Here’s how you repair aluminium RV siding:

  1. Slowly drill a small hole in the centre of stamped aluminum. Stop the drill before it reaches the outside wall of the house.
  1.  Insert a sheet screw into the hole and turn slightly to the right until it tightens in the hole. Do not overtighten.
  1. Grip the head of the sheet metal screw with the pliers and pull gently until the tooth appears. Unscrew the times-heet screw.
  1.  Patch the hole with auto sealant. Place a small amount over the hole with a putty knife and smooth out the excess.
  1. Sand the repaired area until smooth after the automatic filling of the dry body for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer.
  1. Sand off rusted areas from aluminum down to the bare metal.

Here’s how you replace small coating areas of RV aluminum siding:

  1. Put on work gloves. Using tin snips to cut out a piece of siding 3 to 4 inches larger than the damaged area. Cut an inconspicuous area such as down the side of the building. You can also check if your installer left any extra panels.
  1. Cut away damaged aluminum with a utility knife.
  1. Replace the damaged aluminum with the newly cut piece. Butter the back of the piece with polyurethane sealant and slide it into place. Allow the time specified by the sealant manufacturer to dry.
  1. Wait until the aluminum is completely dry before priming.
  1. Apply a high quality, oil-based, rust-proof metal primer and allow it to dry for the time specified by the manufacturer.
  1. Paint the aluminum with a high-quality acrylic latex exterior paint. Allow the first coat to completely dry before applying a second coat.

For best results, paint aluminum on a cool, cloudy day. Strong sunlight and high temperatures slow down the drying time. If you are painting an object that can be transported, such as an aluminum siding panel, consider having it done for an auto body.

Some professionals do not recommend aluminum wash because the strong force of the spray can easily deform the surface.

What do you think? Is it easy or challenging to clean, fix and paint RV aluminium siding? Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions on the content. 

FAQ on How do you fix a hole in aluminum siding in an RV?

Do I have to replace the entire sheet to repair an aluminium siding?

It depends on whether it is a scratch or a strong blow or a “break”. In most cases, however, you will have to replace the whole sheet. This is why people prefer polyester since it is easier to repair, as it is chemically bonded.

Can you patch holes in aluminum siding?

Yes, you can patch holes in aluminium siding. Depending on the size of the hole, you can sand and paint over it, or you may need to replace the whole thing!

Does aluminium siding oxidize?

Unprotected aluminum oxide, leaving an unsightly chalky appearance. Severely damaged aluminum may require professional replacement. You can do small repairs and generally restore aluminum surfaces with a few heavy-duty cleaning.

References

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