Couldn't agree more—primer's definitely worth the extra effort. Aluminum flashing oxidizes pretty fast, and without proper prep, even high-quality sealants struggle to bond long-term. I've seen patches peel off within months because someone skipped primer or didn't clean thoroughly enough. A quick wipe-down with acetone or rubbing alcohol before priming can make a huge difference in adhesion. Learned early on that shortcuts usually mean double work later...
You're spot on about shortcuts coming back to bite you later. Reminds me of a job I did years ago after a pretty nasty storm. Homeowner had tried patching up some flashing himself—no primer, just slapped on some sealant straight from the tube. Looked okay at first glance, but within a few months, water started seeping in again. When I got up there, the sealant peeled right off like old tape. Ended up having to redo the whole thing properly, cleaning it down and priming thoroughly. Felt bad for the guy because he genuinely thought he'd saved himself some trouble.
It's always tempting to skip steps when you're pressed for time or resources, but aluminum flashing is unforgiving that way. Spending those extra few minutes prepping is worth every second, especially when it saves you from climbing back up there in bad weather later on. Glad you pointed it out—it's something everyone learns sooner or later...usually the hard way.
Yeah, totally agree—prep work is key. Another thing people overlook is checking the flashing's condition itself. If it's corroded or bent, even the best sealant won't hold up. Learned that one the hard way myself...
"If it's corroded or bent, even the best sealant won't hold up."
True, but I'd argue that even minor corrosion doesn't always mean replacement is mandatory. I've successfully rehabilitated slightly corroded aluminum flashing by carefully sanding down the affected areas, applying a zinc-rich primer, and then sealing it properly. Of course, if it's severely compromised or structurally bent, replacement is unavoidable—but sometimes a thorough restoration can be just as effective and more sustainable in the long run.
I've done something similar—sanded down some minor corrosion spots and sealed it up. Held fine for years. But yeah, once it's bent or really eaten away, you're better off just biting the bullet and replacing it.
