subject: How To Restore Your Aluminium Doors And Windows [print this page] . Restoring the frames is far cheaper than replacing them, but it is important to ensure that you complete the process correctly, otherwise you may find that you really do have replace them.
Follow the below steps to ensure that your aluminium doors and windows have been restored to their fullest:
Preparation
This step takes the longest amount of time and, as such, many homeowners are tempted to take short cuts or to get potentially inexperienced tradesmen in to do it for them. You will need to ensure that the aluminium frames have been properly cleaned, as they need to be free of dirt, grease and other build-ups. On the outside of the door or window, use a sponge that has been dipped in soapy water and rinse with a hose or pressure cleaner. On the inside, use a solvent wash and rinse with clean water. You will also need to sand the aluminium using 120 - 240 grit sandpaper for powder coated frames or 60 grit for anodized ones.
Painting
You will need to make sure that any non-aluminium areas of the window and door frames have been protected (such as glass panes and timber panels) by covering them with masking tape. It is recommended that you apply three coats of the paint to the frames to ensure even and long lasting coverage. Begin with a primer coat (single pac etch primer is the best) and leave to dry for around half an hour. You can then apply two thick layers or four thin layers of the topcoat in your choice of colour.
Overhaul
Once you have completed the painting step, you will be able to completely overhaul your doors and windows to ensure that they work as good as they look. Replace all of the sliding door rollers, install new weather felts (that stop the glass panels from rattling), and check or replace the latch springs so that the new latches can be centred. You may also want to replace the handles for any sliding frames.
As you can see, the process of restoring aluminium doors and windows is actually not all the difficult once you get your head around the fact that it is going to take a little longer than a couple of hours. The best way to complete the process is to take a free weekend and spend the Saturday morning preparing the frames, the afternoon painting them and finishing up on the Sunday with the overhaul.
