I need to replace a piece of 8″ aluminum siding in the middle of a wall.I have done this many times with vinyl siding using the standard tool. Obviously the aluminum is less flexible than the vinyl. Appreciate the help.
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It's harder than vinyl, but can be done.
Using repeated scores with a utility knife, cut the top of the damaged sheet horizontally about an inch or two below the butt of the sheet above.
Either take the entire damaged sheet this way or a reasonable length. Short pieces in a wall look junky but, whatever works for you.
If you are replacing part of a sheet, go beyond the damage by a foot or so and do the vertical cut down with a knife and/or a good pair of aviation snips.
The bottom will unhook and bending it up and down a few times will break the last 1/2" butt piece off.
Carefully nail down the top of the sheet still remaining, if it protrudes from the normal plane of the wall.
Cut a replacement sheet to length, allowing a little extra overlap than ordinairy, say 3/4" each end. NB This should be cut with a circ. saw, finish blade reversed in a jig. Radial saw with reversed blade works,too.
With your knife score up inside the lock. Score a couple times and break off the slotted nailing bead. This will give you a sheet 1/2 or 3/4" taller than what is exposed to weather on the wall.
Note how the locking hook, the part that goes up into the folded lock in the sheet below, is cut back on a factory end. These will need to be cut back a little more to allow the extra overlap we made.
Slide the sheet up into place. If at all possible, keep the laps running the same as the original. The top edge will go under the butt of the sheet above. Be gentle and patient. Aluminum kinks and dents easily.
Finally, a couple of small screws, say #6 pan heads, or pop rivets thru' the but will secure it. A touch of matching paint may be thought necessary in a visible area. Probably not.
Good luck
Alan, Thanks for the info, It sounds like you have done this a few times. Thanks, Rich