How to paint window frames

How to paint window frames

Gary, Team member
View the video

How to paint window frames

View the video
×

More D.I.Y. Advice

hydrangea

Planting & Growing How to create an allergy-friendly garden If you suffer from hay fever or other allergies, then being out in the garden can, at times, be less than enjoyable. But there are some steps you can take to create an allergy-friendly garden so you can spend more time gardening and less time sneezi...

pallet coffee table

Outdoor Living Five D.I.Y. ideas to update your outdoors Autumn is a great time of the year to tick off a few D.I.Y. projects from your to-do list. Here are a few good ideas to get you started.

pot

Planters How to choose the right plant pot Pots are a great way to add colour, interest or texture to your outdoor space. Tuscan Path’s Elaine Foster shares her top tips on how to choose the perfect pot.

sunflower

Planting & Growing How to plant and care for sunflowers Sunflowers are a great way to add colour to your garden, and they’re easy to grow and care for. Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katie explains the basics of how to grow sunflowers and shares some tips on how to care for them.

orchid

Planting & Growing How to care for orchids Orchids are a low-maintenance flower that can be grown indoors or outside in a protected location. And, with a little care, they will provide you with lots of colour.

paint

Guides & Projects How to upcycle almost any piece of furniture with paint Rather than throwing out old household items, you can restore them with paint. It’s a quick, easy and affordable way to give anything from furniture to fences a new lease on life. Learn how to paint and prepare different surfaces to get the finish y...

DIY balcony and courtyard garden

Planters D.I.Y. balcony and courtyard garden Even if your outdoor space is limited to a balcony or courtyard, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on having a garden. The team at Tuscan Path, who have been supplying pots to the Australian marketplace for over 40 years, share some ideas on how ...

kitchen benchtop materials

Benchtops & Cabinets A guide to kitchen benchtop materials The perfect benchtop will add style to any kitchen. It’ll also see the most action, so choosing the right benchtop for your kitchen – and budget – is an important decision explains Bunnings Kitchen Designer Ben Carey.

Replay

Project Overview

Aluminum windows can last a long time but if you’re planning to change the look and feel in your room, you might want to update your window frames to match. Spray painting them is quick and easy and gives you a smooth professional looking finish. However, it’s important to prepare first and we’ll show you how.

Continue to step-by-step instructions
painting without tape
View the video
00:11
×

How to renew old masking tape

Over time, masking tape can become hard and unusable. A simple way to bring it back to life is to put it in the microwave for 20–-30 seconds. When it comes out it should be soft, sticky and ready to use.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Remove the window fixtures
2 Lay down the drop sheets or ram board
3 Mask around the window frame
4 Cover the window and reveals with paper towel
5 Apply the etch primer
6 Apply the top coat
7 Remove the tape and paper towel
8 Put the window back in place

  • Step 1. Remove the window fixtures

    Use the cordless drill to remove any curtains or blinds and their fixings, that may be attached to the window frame. Put all of the pieces to the side. Also remove the sliding window from the frame. Then use a rag to thoroughly clean the window frame.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Remove the window fixtures

  • Step 2. Lay down the drop sheets or ram board

    When it comes to painting, preparation is important. While it might take some time at the beginning, it will save you time when it comes to cleaning up. To protect the carpet or flooring when you’re painting the windows, lay the drop sheets or ram board on the ground. This will prevent any paint from staining your floor.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Lay down the drop sheets

  • Step 3. Mask around the window frame

    Use a good quality painters’ tape to cover the surfaces you don’t want to get paint on. When you get to a corner of the frame, press the tape into the edge with your putty knife and tear it off to ensure a perfect seal against the frame. Also place masking tape around the edges of the frame for the sliding window, which you have removed.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Mask around the window frame

  • Step 4. Cover the window and reveals with paper towel

    To protect your windows and reveals from overspray, lay paper towel on top of them. Use the painters’ tape to secure the paper towel, so that they’re completely covered. Also cover the window with the paper towel to avoid any errant paint sprays. A handy tip when you’re applying masking tape is to rip off pieces that are about 30cm long. This allows you to apply the tape very close to the window frame.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Cover the window and reveals with paper towel

  • Step 5. Apply the etch primer

    Because the window frame we’re painting hasn’t been painted before, we’re applying an etch primer. This will give the paint a better surface to stick to. Shake the can of primer well. Put on your disposable gloves, safety glasses and ventilator. When spray painting, hold the can 10-20cm away from the window frame. It’s also better to apply several coats than trying to apply one heavy coat. Let the primer dry. Apply primer to the frame of the window you removed.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Apply the etch primer

  • Step 6. Apply the top coat

    Shake the can of paint well. Put on the disposable gloves, safety glasses and ventilator. When applying the spray paint always paint from the top, down. Use long, smooth strokes to reduce the risk of running paint. Apply the first coat and let it dry for about 20 minutes. Depending on the coverage, you might need to apply three coats. Also paint the window frame that you removed.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Apply the top coat

  • Step 7. Remove the tape and paper towel

    Before the paint has completely dried, carefully remove the painters’ tape and the paper towel from the windows, frames and reveals. If any paint has splashed onto the window or crept under the tape, use a single edge razor blade to scrape it off. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    paint window frames

  • Step 8. Put the window back in place

    Once the paint is dry, place the window back in the frame, rehang the curtains or blinds and enjoy your fresh looking window frames.
    Previous Step Next Step
    paint window frames

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • 2 inch angled sash brush
  • Ram board floor protector or drop sheets
  • Cordless screwdriver
  • Paint guard or 12 inch taping knife
  • Paint stirring stick
  • Paint tin opener
  • Putty knife
  • Ventilator mask

Materials

  • Disposable gloves
  • Etch primer
  • Masking tape
  • Painters tape
  • Paper towel
  • Rags
  • Safety glasses
  • Spray paint
  • Utility knife

More D.I.Y. Advice

hydrangea

Planting & Growing How to create an allergy-friendly garden If you suffer from hay fever or other allergies, then being out in the garden can, at times, be less than enjoyable. But there are some steps you can take to create an allergy-friendly garden so you can spend more time gardening and less time sneezi...

pallet coffee table

Outdoor Living Five D.I.Y. ideas to update your outdoors Autumn is a great time of the year to tick off a few D.I.Y. projects from your to-do list. Here are a few good ideas to get you started.

pot

Planters How to choose the right plant pot Pots are a great way to add colour, interest or texture to your outdoor space. Tuscan Path’s Elaine Foster shares her top tips on how to choose the perfect pot.

sunflower

Planting & Growing How to plant and care for sunflowers Sunflowers are a great way to add colour to your garden, and they’re easy to grow and care for. Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katie explains the basics of how to grow sunflowers and shares some tips on how to care for them.

orchid

Planting & Growing How to care for orchids Orchids are a low-maintenance flower that can be grown indoors or outside in a protected location. And, with a little care, they will provide you with lots of colour.

paint

Guides & Projects How to upcycle almost any piece of furniture with paint Rather than throwing out old household items, you can restore them with paint. It’s a quick, easy and affordable way to give anything from furniture to fences a new lease on life. Learn how to paint and prepare different surfaces to get the finish y...

DIY balcony and courtyard garden

Planters D.I.Y. balcony and courtyard garden Even if your outdoor space is limited to a balcony or courtyard, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on having a garden. The team at Tuscan Path, who have been supplying pots to the Australian marketplace for over 40 years, share some ideas on how ...

kitchen benchtop materials

Benchtops & Cabinets A guide to kitchen benchtop materials The perfect benchtop will add style to any kitchen. It’ll also see the most action, so choosing the right benchtop for your kitchen – and budget – is an important decision explains Bunnings Kitchen Designer Ben Carey.

Top of the content