Liquid Siding Project

Cleaning

• All surfaces that receive liquid siding must be completely free of dirt, mold and mildew for a successful application. Installers will pressure-wash the walls after spraying on a special cleaning solution that eliminates any mold. They will also inspect the walls for any cracks and repair these before putting on the liquid siding. All surfaces not receiving the product will be masked and taped to protect them during the process.

Sealer and Primer

• Before the actual liquid siding goes on the surface, workers place a sealer on the walls that penetrates the surface and helps the product bond to the wall. Only after this sealer has been applied do the installers repair any cracks they found in the wall earlier. The next step in the process involves applying a primer over the sealer. The primer functions as a filler material and also prevent existing stains from showing once the process is complete.

Barrier and Topcoat

• To complete the application of the product, workers first apply a liquid thermal barrier that help protects the siding from the elements. The thermal barrier must cure for 24 hours before the final part of the process occurs. After the barrier has set, the final coat, called the topcoat, goes on. You can have the topcoat tinted to your desired color scheme from a large selection of shades and hues.

Controversy

• Some controversy exists over the wisdom of using liquid siding. For example, the Ask the Builder website warns that the product works best when applied to a pristine surface that has received no previous coatings, such as paint. The Federal Trade Commission has warned some liquid siding companies against making excessive claims about the energy-saving abilities of their products. Homeowners should investigate any company thoroughly before contracting for any work.