Aluminum windows are known for being stronger and more durable than other materials, they offer protection against environmental elements and can last more than 30 years. Aluminum windows are now widely recommended over other types of materials since they are light and easy to clean. There are many ways to protect aluminum windows, first of all, they need to be protected from corrosion or rust, to do so, you can easily clean them with a wet rag and then spray some silicone lubricant which will keep the aluminum shiny and protected.
There may be times when the aluminum gets corroded depending on location, especially if you’re located on the seaside as the salt from the sea can cause aluminum to corrode and you may need to repaint it. If your aluminum windows are somewhat corroded and need some painting, below we list some tips and tricks that can be followed to repaint your aluminum windows.
Cleaning Aluminum Windows
Cleaning your aluminum windows may be a simple task but sometimes it may require more than a simple cleaning to restore its shine especially if it’s corroding and this may also take some time. The good news is that if your aluminum windows are corroding, is it possible to restore them.
First, you will need to start with some metal abrasion which is the task of rubbing away the old metal from your aluminum window so that new paint may be added. This can be achieved with a hand scraper tool or with a wire brush which easily removes the old metal and allows you to prep the surface for the new paint. It can be done with an up and down stroke or from left to right depending on the shape of the aluminum or what you may consider the easier. You can also use a power scraper.
After you’ve finished scraping the old metal off, the next step will be to sand the aluminum windows to a smooth finish, this is to help the new paint adhere to the surface. They are different methods to sand aluminum but in this case, since the goal is to achieve a smooth surface, we will need to use 2 different sizes of sandpaper. The first one is sandpaper of 160 grit, this one will be used to remove deeper scratches and fine scratches also. Second, we use sandpaper of 230 grit, this one is to even out and smooth the surface from mild scratches that may have been created from using the previous sandpaper. Use a cloth or a brush to brush away the resulting dust from the area once finished.
Lightly sand the aluminum windows without adding much pressure to not create additional and unnecessary scratches. A wet sanding technique can also be applied by spraying water on the surface as it helps in removing surface scratches as well. Sand the aluminum window using a back-and-forth motion to easily remove scratches and blemishes. When sanding aluminum is it recommended to use protective gear such as safety goggles and mask as aluminum is considered dangerous to work with, protective gloves should be used as well.
Painting Aluminum Windows
Once you’ve finished scraping and sanding the aluminum windows a primer needs to be added, as this will make your paint durable. First, the windows need to be masked off to prevent the paint from running over to other areas we don’t want paint on and drop sheets can be used to cover the floor as well to prevent paint from dripping on your floor.
There are many brands of primers specifically designed for aluminum surfaces. Priming is considered a very important step as it will create a bond with the new paint for maximum adhesion and make the paint last longer. It will also prevent new paint from peeling and chipping. It is recommended to apply 2-3 thin coats of primer for best results which can be applied with a spray can or with a regular brush and allowing 5 minutes in between coats for it to dry.
The next step will be to apply a top color, meaning painting the aluminum windows with the color of your choice. Some consider aluminum hard to paint since paint won’t stick, you will not have this issue if you use a paint that is specifically designed for aluminum. You can choose a paint in a spray can or choose to paint it with paint and a regular brush although spray cans are the most preferred method used.
It is recommended to apply paint one hour after the primer is added, apply 2-3 coats of paint to ensure full coverage and best results allowing 5 to 10 minutes in between coats depending on the chosen method, normally with spray cans wait time is about 5 minutes. Once the aluminum windows are fully coated it is recommended to allow them to dry for up to 24 hours or more but also check the paint container for additional instructions.
Once the paint is added you can choose to protect the paint with a clear coat to seal and protect the paint from corrosion. This clear coat is also known as the enamel sealer technique which will protect the paint from scratches and chipping although some paints already have the sealer built-in, check instructions on the can to make sure. The clear is also used to add shine to your aluminum windows and provide it with a great aesthetic. Apply 2-3 coats of the clear coat also known as gloss clear allowing 5-10 minutes in between coats for it to dry. Once the aluminum window is fully coated with the gloss, allow 24 hours or more for it to dry. This process is also known as the curing process of the paint which means the paint has hardened enough before handling.
Overall aluminum windows are easy to take care of. It is recommended to clean your aluminum windows once every six months especially if located in rural areas. But if located in seaside areas then it recommended cleaning them every three months at least once. To do so you can use commercial products specifically designed for such or also use natural solutions as well. We hope you find these tips helpful.
