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Help: Painting aluminum frames on storm windows

14 years ago

We have some 30 year old "custom" storm windows on 22' of single pane windows across the front of our house. I've hated them for 30 years, but we can't afford to replace the windows, so our contractor suggested painting the storms. He tested a spray paint (don't know what kind) on one frame and it looked good, so we decided to go with it. The aluminum is dull and the paint adhered well to it. However, when the painters did our new front porch last week, they couldn't get a smooth coat on the rest of the storm windows. They brushed on two coats of primer and two coats of the same paint (white satin SW exterior acrylic) that they had used on the woodwork and fiberglass columns and it just didn't cover well. I gave up on them after the 4th coat. Now what can we do to get a good finish coat? We bought some Rustoleum oil based paint this afternoon, but now we're having second thoughts. Hope the pros out there can help!

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Comments (4)

Faron79
14 years ago
Many spray-paints (GOOD ones anyway...!) stick well to clean/dulled metal windows.

However...
* Aluminum & Stainless-steel need a different chemistry in primers.
* Most brush-on & spray-paint lines have special "Galvanized & Aluminum" primers.
* These variants have high levels of Zinc, which holds well.
* Then, paint with a top-notch Latex paint...OR a good spray-paint.
* Return your Oil topcoat Rust-oleum, and exchange for Latex.

>>> The KEY here is the right primer!!

Faron
catbird
Original Author
14 years ago
Faron: Thanks. One more question, though. What do we do about the paint that's already been put on them? Do we have to remove it (oh, my)? Can we prime over it? Sand and prime?
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I would contact Milgard and ask them about painting procedures. They will be able to provide preparation steps, primer and recommend paint choices. If I were doing it, I'd spray them with InslX Stix primer and spray paint them with Aura exterior paint. The below instructions are taken from Milgard website. Milgard Windows fiberglass painting instructions : 1. Clean frame with mild detergent. 2. Remove gloss on the factory paint finish with a ScotchBrite pad or fine (220+ grit) sandpaper. Do not use solvent based de-glossers. 3. Clean frame and remove all paint debris. Allow frame to thoroughly dry. 4. Mask glass, hardware and weather-strip to prevent overspray. Paint applied to weather-stripping and tracks will hinder product performance. 5. Prime frame with an acrylic based paint primer. Brush applied paint primers will leave brush marks on the frame. Follow the manufacturer's instruction for primer application. 6. Paint frame with either water based acrylic latex, or oil based acrylic alkyd paint. Use premium exterior grade, acrylic house paint. The paint must be compatible with the primer used. Brush applied paint will leave brush marks on the finish. 7. Allow paint to thoroughly dry per the manufacturer's specifications. 8. Remove masking Milgard Paint Instructions
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catbird
Original Author
14 years ago
The DH says the painters asked the clerk at the paint store about primer and used what he recommended, so maybe he got that part right. I just tried scraping a fingernail across it and it didn't come off easily.
catbird
Original Author
14 years ago
Just got this response from Faron and thought others might want to see it, too. Thanks, Faron!

If existing paint is still well-adhered, sand with 100-grit paper (or a sanding-sponge) so the surface has some "tooth".
Remove ALL dust...then prime & paint.
For your topcoats, use 100% Acrylic Exterior paint. I'd use at least a Satin or Semi-gloss for trims.
I'd use a top-notch Latex primer as well.
Oils just keep getting more brittle over time.
If you had a lot of bare wood, then an Oil primer is justified, but use Latex topcoats.
Faron

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