Asked on Aug 12, 2017

How to paint peeling aluminum frame on screen porch

Vivian
by Vivian
  5 answers
  • K K on Aug 12, 2017

    I just did this!

    I bought a can of Rustoleum paint in the color and glossiness that matched the other aluminum trim on the windows. Paint comes in flat (no gloss), semi-gloss, and glossy (shiny, reflective) - and manufacturers add other intermediate glossinesses like eggshell. In any case, the cap of a can of spray paint usually is the color and glossiness of the paint inside.

    I already had sandpaper, steel wool, and a wire brush. Also masking tape and old newspaper. As it turned out I used the steel wool more than anything else.

    Get all the loose stuff off. Use whatever it takes. Your surface MUST be clean.

    A screen panel would be easier to work on if you can take it down and set it on some saw horses or kitchen stools - or whatever you have - protect with newspaper or plastic drop cloths. If you can remove the screens it would be even better

    Wash the frame with soap and water. Check it to make sure it’s clean and dry. Paint just won’t stick to wet surfaces and dirty surfaces don’t look good painted.

    Here’s my window ready to paint.

    Shake the paint can. Put on some music. Shake it for twice as long as it says to on the can! Always hold the paint an even distance from the surface. Start and end the spray off the surface on the newspaper. Apply very light coats. After it dries a bit, add another light coat. This avoids drips. You can always add a little more paint. It’s very hard to remove a glob and make it look good.

    Let it dry. Remove the tape and newspaper or plastic, remount it and enjoy!

  • Vivian Vivian on Aug 12, 2017

    Thank you for reply, but article is about a door. My question is about our screened-in back porch, that has an (I'm assuming) aluminum frame all around. The porch is approx. 20'x30'. Some of the original paint, in some sections, is peeling off and I'd like to paint the areas that are peeling.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Aug 12, 2017

    The same thing would apply to the frame around the screens. Clean up the peeling paint, clean off the residual dust and grime from taking off the peeling paint. Put newspaper over the screens and use painters tape to tape it to the screen. Put newspaper anywhere you don't want the paint to go. Spray with Rustoleum paint of you choice in the same manor as stated above and your done except for letting it dry and taking off the newspaper and tape. You can do it, it is not hard!

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Aug 13, 2017

    I have painted over old aluminum screen doors and window trim with semigloss exterior acrylic house paint, and it is holding up very well. If you have a condensation problem, that could be causing the peeling.

    Remove all the peeling and flaking first, clean well.

    I shared this link with a poster who was painting aluminum siding. It explains how to prep and how you should NOT use latex primer and why.


    https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-paint-aluminum-siding/