10 Most Googled RV Aluminum Siding Questions

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When you purchase a new RV you may have several questions related to the siding. Specifically, you may have questions that are centered around RV aluminum siding. Over time you may need to repair, replace, clean, wax or paint your RV aluminum siding.

To learn more about these RV siding questions and more we rounded up the 10 Most Googled RV Aluminum Siding Questions, which are:

1. Can I Replace RV Aluminum Siding?
2. How to Remove RV Aluminum Siding?
3. How to Repair Aluminum RV Siding?
4. Where Can I Buy RV Aluminum Siding?
5. How Much Does Aluminum RV Siding Cost?
6. Can You Paint Aluminum RV Siding?
7. How to Clean Aluminum RV Siding?
8. How to Wax Aluminum RV Siding?
9. Which is Better, Aluminum or Fiberglass RV Siding?
10. Where Can I Find Vintage Camper Aluminum Siding?

Below we will answer all ten of these heavily Google searched questions about RV aluminum siding. Once you’re finished reading hopefully you’ll have all the information you need regarding RV aluminum siding.

1. Can I Replace Aluminum RV Siding?

Yes, you can replace aluminum siding on your RV – both corrugated and smooth. The process is different for each type of siding, but it is possible to do it yourself.

For many people, when they purchase a used RV it isn’t always in the best condition. As a result, the aluminum RV siding might not be in the best condition. If this is the case you might be considering replacing the old siding with new aluminum siding. Luckily, if you want to do this you can. That being said, you should be very careful when removing the siding to avoid causing any further damage to your RV.

When you replace the siding you will need to remove several other parts of your RV so that you can remove the siding. As a result, you should only do this if you’re confident that the damage is too much to deal with. Risking structural damage to the framing underneath the siding isn’t worth the risk unless it’s absolutely necessary. However, if you determine that you need to replace the siding, it is possible to do so. You should make sure you’re familiar with all your tools before taking on the project.

2. How to Remove RV Aluminum Siding?

If you want to replace your RV siding, you have to remove the old stuff first. Here’s how to remove aluminum siding from your RV.

First, start by removing any lights that are installed along the side of the RV that could get in the way. To do this you will need to use a flat head screwdriver to remove them. You’ll use the flat head to pop off the lens that’s protecting the bulb. Once this is done you can unscrew the light bulbs and place them somewhere safe.

Once you’ve removed all the lights, you can move on to the staples. You can use the flat head again to do this, or you can use the back of a hammer to pry off the staples. When performing this step you should take your time and be very careful. Going too fast could result in permanent damage to your RV. Make sure you’ve removed all the staples before moving onto the next step. Carefully examine the side of the RV because it can be easy to miss one or two staples along the way.

Once the lights and staples are removed you can move on to the aluminum RV siding. You can use a putty knife on the corners of the siding. When doing this you need to make sure that you get securely wedged underneath the corner. You may need to use a hammer to straighten things out. You should do this around all the corners and around the edges where it’s necessary. When you lift up the corners and edges you will find a few more staples underneath. Remove the staples as they are the last things holding the siding in place. Once the staples are removed you should be able to carefully slide off the siding. You should remove it with a partner as it can be quite heavy and difficult to handle.

3. How to Repair Aluminum RV Siding?

How you fix aluminum RV siding depends on the type of damage it has received. If you notice small holes in the aluminum all you need to do is perform a simple patch job. To do this you can cut a small piece of aluminum to fit over the hole. Smooth out the area you want to patch and apply it with a caulking material. However, this only works for small holes, if the hole is larger you may need to replace the siding.

Alternatively, you may notice that your siding has dents in it. If this is the case you should drill a small hole in the center of the dent. You can then attach a washer to a screw and drill the screw into the hole. When the screw is in place use a pair of pliers to pull on the washer. This will pull the screw and pop out the dent.

4. Where Can I Buy Aluminum RV Siding?

There are many types of RV siding that you can choose from and each of their benefits. However, if you choose to use aluminum RV siding you won’t have any trouble. It can be easily purchased online from several retailers such as Hemet Valley RV. However, if you prefer to purchase things in person rather than online you can go to your local Home Depot. Home improvement stores like Home Depot will typically have RV supplies available for purchase, including aluminum siding.

Other retailers such as Walmart will usually have RV supplies available for purchase as well. So, it won’t take much driving around to find a store that’s selling the RV supplies you need.

5. How Much Does Aluminum RV Siding Cost?

The price of aluminum RV siding isn’t static. It varies from store to store and the quality of the aluminum has a drastic impact on the price. That being said, aluminum siding usually costs somewhere between $3 to $6 per square foot. If you have an RV that has 1500 exterior square feet, that will cost somewhere between $4500 and $9000. That’s a good chunk of change, so make sure you’re prepared to pay that kind of money when you purchase your RV. You should be accounting for repairs and additions you might need to make when budgeting for your RV.

If you want aluminum siding with a vinyl finish, it will cost somewhere between $4 and $9 per square foot. This ends of being $6000 to $13,500 for 1500 square feet.

6. Can You Paint Aluminum RV Siding?

Yes, you can paint aluminum siding. The process will be different depending on the type of your RV and type of your RV siding, but the results can give your RV a total facelift.

Painting aluminum can be tricky as there is the risk of the paint damaging the aluminum and not sticking to the siding. However, you can paint the siding if you clean your siding carefully beforehand. 

Before you begin painting, you’ll want to acid wash the siding with vinegar. This will remove oxidation and lower the risk of permanent damage being dealt to the aluminum siding. You should make sure that you rinse the aluminum quickly after washing it with vinegar. Once this is done you should paint soon after before it oxidizes again.

7. How to Clean Aluminum RV Siding?

If you want to extend the life of the exterior of your RV, you should be washing it regularly. Letting dirt and bugs stay on the surface will make it harder to clean later. Here’s how to clean your aluminum siding.

You can use a mild soap that is compatible with the surface of your RV. You can use a long-handled brush with soft bristles for hard to reach areas. Conversely, you can use a wash glove for the easy to reach spots. You should rinse the area you want to wash first, and make sure to wash from the top to the bottom. Additionally, when rinsing make sure that you don’t spray water into any vents.

Removing dead bugs from your RV can be a difficult task. As a result, you should try to remove them as soon as you notice them. Make sure that you use lots of water as this will hydrate the bugs and make them easier to remove. You can use bug and tar remover products such as McKee’s Road Kill Bug Remover.

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8. How to Wax Aluminum RV Siding?

Waxing and polishing aluminum RV siding can help protect your RV and give it a “new RV” look and feel. For this project, you’ll need wax and a polishing cloth or device.

Waxing and polishing the exterior of your RV can take a while, but it will help extend the life of your RV. That being said, you should be careful when applying wax or polish around RV graphics as it can cause damage. You should also only wax your RV when there isn’t any water on the surface.

9. Aluminum vs Fiberglass RV Siding – Which is Better?

Aluminum and fiberglass are two of the most popular options for an RV siding material. Each has benefits and detriments, but one isn’t necessarily better than the other.

Firstly, corrugated aluminum siding is easy to replace. However, smooth or polished aluminum siding will require you to see an automotive technician to replace it. 

Additionally, aluminum is lighter than fiberglass. As a result, aluminum RVs can be pulled by vehicles with lower tow capacities. This also means you can purchase a bigger aluminum trailer than you could a fiberglass one. 

Furthermore, aluminum is typically cheaper than fiberglass and has better breathability. This reduces condensation and reduces the chance of mold growth. Painted aluminum also holds up better than fiberglass.

Conversely, fiberglass is a better option if you are a regular camper in places with tougher weather. Fiberglass holds up well against hail and won’t dent as easily as aluminum. Unfortunately, laminates on fiberglass will fade and peel quickly. 

Fiberglass provides far better insulation than aluminum which is incredibly important in colder weather. Additionally, although it is more expensive than aluminum, many believe that fiberglass has greater durability than aluminum. This means you won’t need to replace it as often. 

So, both siding options have their pros and cons. You just need to decide what benefits are most important to you.

10. Where Can I Find Vintage Camper Aluminum Siding?

Vintage camper aluminum siding can be found in a lot of the places you will find regular aluminum siding. However, it is more difficult to come across. They aren’t always in stock at your local stores. As a result, you may need to order siding online. There are several retailers online that sell vintage aluminum siding and one of the best is Vintage Trailer Supply. So, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the best option for you.

Getting the Most Out of Your RV Aluminum Siding

After reading we hope that all the questions you had regarding RV aluminum siding are answered. We know that there’s a lot of information above and it’s a lot to digest. However, with the information above you should have all the knowledge you need to clean, repair, and replace aluminum siding. We hope that we were a significant help to you!

What type of RV do you own? Is this your first time installing RV siding? Let us know in the comments!

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