How to Repaint an Aluminum Awning
Aluminum awnings come in a variety of finishes from painted to powder-coated to anodized. Manufacturers design their patio awnings to last for years, but after a decade or two, you may discover your awning could use a new finish. The Aluminum Extruders Council indicates that you can repaint aluminum alloys which fall into the classification of alloy 6061, alloy 6063 and alloy 6105. If your aluminum awning falls into one of these categories, you can repaint it to look like a new awning. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Chemical stripper or blaster
- Pressure washer
- Water
- Sponge
- Chromium phosphate wash
- Buckets
- Tarp
- Exterior paint
- Paint sprayer, roller or brush
Instructions
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1
Remove the old paint from the aluminum awning. If possible, you may want to contact the original manufacturer to determine the best cleaning agent, but you can also use a chemical stripper containing methylene chloride or a blaster and plastic blasting media, which can also strip the paint without degrading the aluminum surface. Always follow the directions that come with the chemical stripper to prevent injury, illness or death. Avoid abrasive cleaning techniques and alkaline or acidic chemicals, as they can damage the finish of the awning.
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2
Use a pressure washer to clean the awning after the stripper loosens the paint. Depending on the cleaning process you used, you may need to rinse the awning with a water and sponge and collect the runoff to avoid environmental hazards before you pressure wash.
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3
Improve the paint adhesion to the aluminum by treating the surface with a chromium phosphate wash. While there are other pretreatment methods available, chromium phosphate deoxidizes the surface of the aluminum and removes surface imperfections in the process. Coating weights for the wash range from 60 to 80 mg/sq ft.
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4
Let the coating dry and then rinse the awning. Again, you'll need to take precautions to catch the runoff in order to prevent environmental hazards. You may want to place a tarp under the awning and collect the runoff in buckets in order to prevent chemicals from seeping into the ground.
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5
Allow the awning to dry completely and then apply the paint of your choice. For the best results, you will want to use an exterior paint designed for use with aluminum surfaces. One gallon of paint should cover a 300 to 400 square foot area. To cover the area, you may want to use a paint sprayer, which can create a more uniform surface than a brush or a roller.
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Tips & Warnings
A powder coating is more difficult to remove than a painted coating. If you use a self-priming exterior paint, you can skip Step 3. You may need to go to an industrial paint supply store to find the appropriate items for the task.
Different cleaning agents can degrade various types of aluminum, so always test your cleaner in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface. Using chemicals in an outdoor area may require an air permit.
