How To Paint Aluminum Window Frames
If you have an older home or building. it likely has aluminum window frames. Aluminum frames help conserve energy, but they may look bland. It is possible to paint the metal frames a different color. First, the frames must be primed to accept paint.
Indoor aluminum frames can be painted with standard paint, while outdoor aluminum frames need a paint formulated for outdoor use. Here are a few tips to paint aluminum window frames and give them a new look.
Prepare to Paint the Frames
For this project, you need:
- work gloves
- eye goggles
- step-ladder (optional)
- bucket
- drop cloths or newspapers
- painter's tape
- hose
- steel wool pad or plastic brushes
- water-based degreaser
- liquid dish soap
- vinegar or baking soda
- 100-grit sandpaper
- wood stir stick
- paint brushes
- metal paint and galvanized etching primer or spray paint
When you work inside, open a window to ventilate. Mix liquid dish soap in warm water, and scrub the window frames with a steel wool pad or a plastic brush. Use a degreaser to remove stubborn grime.
If the window frame is stained, try to remove the stain with a rag dampened with some vinegar. Alternatively, you could mix enough baking soda with water to make a paste. Rinse the cleaner with a hose or damp rags, and let the frames dry completely.
Sand and Prime
Set a step-ladder on flat ground so you can easily reach the frames if needed. Place painter's tape around the window trim and other areas you don't want to get touched by paint or sand dust. Spread drop cloths or newspapers under the windows as well.
Sand the frames with the 100-grit sandpaper, and wipe the sand dust. Sanding roughs up the surface so the paint sticks better. Apply a coat of primer with the paint brush, and let it dry.
If you are using spray paint, shake the can for the amount of time suggested by the manufacturer, and hold the nozzle one foot from the frame. After the primer dries, check for bubbles and sand them off the surface.
Paint
Stir the paint for about one minute with a stir stick to make the color even. If you are an inexperienced painter, mix an ounce of water per gallon in the paint for smoother brush strokes. Coat the paint brush in the paint, and move the brush up and down the frame. Now, clean your brushes in a bucket of clear water.
You may need to create more layers of paint. Let the first paint layer dry, and add a second layer if needed. Paint the inside and outside of the window frames in the same manner. For more information, talk to companies like Trend.
