If you have old aluminum windows that you want to restore the existing color or if you want to change the color, you can rest easy. You have come to the right place.

The aluminum window painting process can be divided into a series of steps with two distinct stages. These are preparation and application. However, the inexperienced will try to skip the preparation to the detriment of the appearance and durability of the finished product.

Preparation

The amount of preparation needed depends primarily on the type and condition of the original substrate. For example, if you have old powder-coated aluminum windows that have chalky paint on them and are rubbing off with your fingers, this will require much more preparation than a new powder-coated surface that is not chipping and is being painted to change. color.

However, anodized aluminum windows will require much more preparation than all other substrates, regardless of their substrate condition because the surfaces need much more mechanical abrasion in order for the surface to harden enough to allow paint to adhere.

Protecting Adjacent Finished Surfaces – Whenever painting an isolated section, it is important that you protect adjacent finished surfaces. When painting aluminum windows in your house or apartment, you should think about applying plastic sheeting, followed by canvas sheeting. I suggest applying plastic wrap and 3M, which you can use with a hand dispenser to protect the glass and walls that directly surround the window frame.

Cleaning – Make sure all surfaces are clean and free of dirt. Dirt and grease are critical in the aluminum window painting process. If the surfaces are dirty, the adhesion of the paint is reduced. Clean the frames on the outside with soapy water and a sponge. However, use a soap that does not contain salt, such as truck wash. Wash off all excess soap with clean, cool water.

Then alternately clean the surfaces inside and out with a solvent wash such as Prepsol.

Use a sponge to apply the solvent. Scour will clean and nail the surface at the same time. It is important that you perform a second solvent wash on dirty windows by applying solvent with a clean cloth and then wiping with another clean cloth.

Sanding the substrate – There is no easy way around this process. This can be difficult and monotonous, especially when getting into the tighter places like the top channel, because there is no mechanical sanding equipment that can get the job done that much faster. Therefore, doing the job manually by hand is difficult and time consuming.

If you have a powder coated surface that is chalking I would recommend sanding with 120 grit. The sandpaper is less likely to clog. If your substrate is powder coated and not chalked, then 240 grit will be enough to mark the surface, especially if you have scrubbed it first. However, if your substrate is anodized, then you’re going to have a lot of work to do because you’ll need to break up the 60-grit sandpaper. Have some duct tape band-aids ready for your fingertips because this is where you’re going to be “rubbing your fingers together.” bone”.

Sixty grit will really carve the anodized surface. And you would want the paint to really stick, right? Skip this and you’ll be doing the job again. Once you’ve done this, it’s best to redo the job with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth out any gouges caused by 60-grit.

You are almost ready to start the fun part of applying the paint. Just before painting a window, wipe it down with another clean wipe using your solvent wash solution, remember to use two different clean cloths.

Paint: Use a three coat system with the first being a light coat of primer sealer; use a single coat etch primer. The second layer being the first of the upper layers, the second upper layer then being the third layer.

At this point, you have a couple of choices to make. First, what kind of paint do you want to apply? I recommend two-component polyurethane or oil-based enamel. If you have little to no experience using two packs, stick with the oil-based polishes and apply with a quality brush. However, if you have used two pacs before, the only way to apply them is to use an HVLP spray gun for a quality finish. The benefit of using a two pac paint over an oil based glaze is that you will get a more durable quality finish that closely resembles a powder coat finish.