How to Finish Interior Aluminum-Frame Windows

You can enhance the appearance of your interior aluminum-frame windows by finishing them with the appropriate paint. Before you begin, understand one critical point: aluminum frames are nonporous. This characteristic leaves them poorly suited for adhesion. If you apply paint directly to bare aluminum frames, shedding will ensue. You must pretreat the frames with an acidic-based primer, prior to painting. Once the aluminum frames are properly prepared, they will accept a new finish. Choose a particular finish based on your personal preferences.

Things You'll Need

• Water-based degreaser
• Coarse sponge
• Rags
• Towels
• Professional painter's tape
• Heavy-duty-fabric drop cloths
• Galvanized metal-etching primer
• 2- to 3-inch latex paintbrush
• Satin latex paint
• Semi-gloss or gloss latex paint

Instructions

1. Clean the aluminum window frames with a water-based degreaser, using a coarse sponge. Rinse the frames with wet rags and dry them with towels.

2. Protect areas adjacent to the interior frames from primer and paint overlap by covering them with painter's tape. Protect the floor with drop cloths.

3. Coat the aluminum window frame with galvanized metal-etching primer, using a 2- to 3-inch paintbrush. Wait four hours for the primed frames to dry.

4. Wash your brush with ordinary tap water.

5. Coat the primed aluminum window frame with your chosen paint, using the clean paintbrush. Wait two hours for the frames to dry. Add a second coat if the primer bleeds through to the surface. Remove the tape before the paint dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a satin latex paint if you want the frames to blend in with the wall. Use a semi-gloss or gloss latex paint to make the frames to stand out.

• Never paint unprimed, aluminum window frames, or the finish will peel.

• Don't use acrylic, latex or oil primer on aluminum window frames, or the finish will flake.