How to Repaint Aluminium Windows
A well-prepared and properly finished paint job should last, under normal conditions, up to seven years. When it doesn't, it usually means something wasn't done correctly. Failures can be attributed to sources of water, incompatible paint, a badly prepared surface or not letting a coat properly dry. Sanding, prepping, using the correct paint and applying the paint properly will result in a great and long-lasting look for aluminum windows.
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Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Dust mask
- Steel wool
- Wire brush
- Electric drill, sanding attachments
- Putty knife
- Masking tape
- Tapered paint brush
- Metal primer and oil-based paint
Instructions
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Use work gloves to keep dirt off your hands. Use goggles to protect your eyes from debris such as metal shavings. Wear a dust mask so you don't breathe in the paint dust and metal shavings being removed from the window frames.
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Use steel wool or a synthetic steel wool pad to remove loose paint and rust from window frames. A wire brush also can be used. Weathering sometimes causes pitting on metal surfaces. These are small nubs on the surface and should be removed. If hand sanding is cumbersome, use a drill with coarse metal sanding attachments to sand to the bare metal.
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Repair the caulking around the windows. Check the durability of the caulk. If you see it breaking down, remove as much as you can with a putty knife. Re-caulk around the entire frame before painting.
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Mask the glass and areas surrounding the window. Use wide painter's masking tape to cover the glass area near the sections to be painted. Do the same for the part of the window that is flush against the house to prevent paint from touching interior walls or the brick, siding or other exterior surface.
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Paint the windows section by section. Casement windows (windows that open out) are easier to paint than double-hung windows. For casements, work horizontally first and then vertically. Proceed from the inside to the outside. For double-hung windows, paint the lower half of the outer sash first and then paint the entire inner sash. Then return the sashes to their normal position and paint the rest of the outer sash, the frame and the sill. If you are painting the outside of the frame while standing inside, complete the outside first. Otherwise, do the outside part of the frame while standing outside on a ladder.
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Use a base coat. Use a rust-inhibiting metal primer to cover the entire surface. Allow to dry and apply a second coat. Because window frames usually are narrow, use a thin brush that is tapered to push the paint into the corners of the window frame.
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Apply a topcoat. Apply the topcoat within two days of completing the primer coat. For extra protection, apply two coats of topcoat. An oil-based paint provides the best protection. A water-based paint for metal that is used on an outdoor surface may not last as long as oil paint. If you use water-based paint, make sure it is compatible with the primer.
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Tips & Warnings
New paints and methods are available that may eliminate one or more of these steps. The key to a great finish is to properly prepare the surface and to use quality paint.
References
- Photo Credit FreePhoto.com
