Painting Anodized Aluminum Shower Doors

Anodized aluminum is extremely hard and durable, making it a good choice of material for everything from pots and pans to bathroom mirrors and shower door frames. The nature of an anodized aluminum surface makes it challenging to paint, since paint has a harder time adhering to the smooth surface of anodized aluminum than it does to traditionally painted surfaces like wood. Even so, you can paint the anodized aluminum shower door frames in your bathroom if you use the right preparation techniques.

TSP cleanser
Sponge
Drop cloth
Cardboard
Etching primer
Paintbrush
Enamel or epoxy paint

Instructions

- 1
  Soak a sponge in a cleanser that contains trisodium phosphate. Clean the entire anodized aluminum shower door frame thoroughly with the cleanser.
- 2
  Soak a soft cloth or a rag with plain water, and rinse the shower door frame thoroughly. Allow the frame to air-dry for two or three hours.
- 3
  Cover the area around the bathtub and shower enclosure with a drop cloth to protect the floor and the surrounding area. Cover the shower glass with cardboard to prevent the paint from splattering onto the glass.
- 4
  Use a paintbrush to apply etching primer to the entire aluminum shower door frame. Apply the primer vertically on the vertical surfaces of the shower door and horizontally on the horizontal surfaces.
- 5
  Allow the etching primer to dry for two to three hours. Apply a quality enamel or epoxy paint using a paintbrush. Brush the paint onto the anodized aluminum in a vertical motion on the vertical surfaces and horizontally on the horizontal parts of the shower door frame.

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