How to Paint a Window Frame
Painting exterior windows is always the biggest part of a painting project. Properly maintained windows will never need to be replaced so take the extra time to keep them protected from the elements. A good paint job can pay for itself later on down the road. All it takes is a little patience, some time and the proper techniques to keep them looking like new.
Things You'll Need:
- Good quality angled sash brush
- Clean rags
- 5-in-1 tool
- Putty knife
- Single-edged razor blades
- Paint
- Primer
- Duster brush
- Drop clothes
- Paint pot
- Blue painter's tape
- Sandpaper
- Caulk
- Wash the windows using detergent and a brush. If mold is present, apply a bleach and water solution using a spray bottle and rinse well.
- Remove the window sashes if possible and place on sawhorses.
- Repair any rotten, damaged or cracked areas before painting. Scrape and sand all loose paint, caulk, and glazing and reglaze or recaulk where needed. Glazing putty needs to set up one to three weeks before painting. Brush or vacuum any remaining dust.
- Prime all repairs and bare wood with a quality oil based primer.
- Remove or mask off any hardware you do not want painted but avoid taping off the glass as it causes more problems than it solves.
- Raise and lower double hung sashes while painting in order to reach all exposed areas. Free stuck sashes using a putty knife if they have been painted shut.
- Start painting with the best quality brush that you can afford. Place both sashes in reversed positions and paint the top mullions on the bottom sash first. Always work out of a paint pot filled with about a quart of paint. Dip the brush part way in the paint and tap the inside edge of the pot a few times.
- Paint all areas of the windows that you can reach before putting the sashes back to a half inch short of their normal positions. Overlap the paint onto the glass slightly to seal the windows from any rain. Dont worry about getting a little paint on the glass, it will come right off with a single edged razor blade after it dries.
- Apply two coats of paint to protect the windows properly from harsh weather.