How to Paint Aluminum Window Frames

Aluminum frame windows come in a variety of colors to match your house trim. Aluminum frames are stronger and more durable than vinyl and hold up better than wood. Whether you decide to change the trim color of your home or your old frames are peeling and need a fresh coat, you can easily paint your aluminum window frames.

Aluminum frame windows come in a variety of colors to match your house trim. Aluminum frames are stronger and more durable than vinyl and hold up better than wood. Whether you decide to change the trim color of your home or your old frames are peeling and need a fresh coat, you can easily paint your aluminum window frames.

What You’ll Need

• Clean cloths


• Powder laundry soap


• Bucket


• Sponge


• Painter’s tape


• Newspaper


• Etching primer or a latex bonding primer


• Fine grit sandpaper


• Paint made for metals


• Paint sprayer

1. Pour a small amount of powdered soap into a bucket and fill the bucket with water. Place the sponge in the bucket of soapy water.


2. Use the sponge to clean the aluminum window frames really well. Make sure there is no built up dirt or grease left on the frames. Spray the soap off of the frames with a garden hose, or get some clean water in the bucket and use the sponge to rinse the frames. The frames need to be completely dry before you begin to paint them, so leave them at least 24 hours.


3. Tape off the window using painter’s tape and newspaper. Place the newspaper over the glass windows and tape them right up to the edge of the aluminum frame with the painter’s tape. Tape off the outside of the frames as well.


4. Pour the primer into your paint sprayer. If your aluminum frame widows are unpainted or if the paint is in really bad shape, sand the frames lightly and use etching primer. If the frames are painted and in good condition use latex bonding primer.


5. Allow the primer to dry completely before spraying with paint. While the primer is drying, clean the paint sprayer really well.


6. Add your paint to the paint sprayer. Spray a coat of paint onto the freshly primed frames. When it is dry, add a second coat.


7. Remove and dispose of your painter’s tape and newspaper.