Do-It-Yourself Window Refinishing

Wood Window Frames

• 1

  Cover the bushes and shrubs with a plastic sheet or drop cloth. This protects them from the cleaner and debris.

• 2

  Prepare the wood window for a new paint finish by scraping off any flaking or peeling paint with a putty knife.

• 3

  Sand the window frame with a fine-grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Rub in the direction of the wood grain. This smooths any existing paint and provides a rough surface so that the new paint adheres correctly.

• 4

  Wash the window frames with warm water in a bucket and a scrub brush. Allow the window to dry and rub your hand over the surface to determine if it is smooth. If not, use a mild detergent and warm water to clean it again. Wait for the window frame to dry before continuing.

• 5

  Place painter's tape around the window panes and the outside of the frames. This helps you to paint more swiftly in these areas.

• 6

  Paint over the window frame with an exterior primer paint and a quality paintbrush. Use an interior primer if you are painting the windows on the inside of your home. Wait for the primer to dry according to the directions on the container.

• 7

  Brush a quality exterior latex paint over the window frames on the outside of your home. Use regular latex paint for interior window frames. Wait for the paint to dry completely on the windows.

• 8

  Sand the new paint coat lightly with the sandpaper before adding another coat. Dust off any residue with a cleaning cloth. Add one or more additional coats to the window frame, allowing them to dry completely and sanding them again before painting.

• 9

  Remove the painter's tape from around the windows.

Refinishing Aluminum Windows

• 10

  Cover any shrubs or plants underneath the windows with a plastic sheet or drop cloth to protect them from the cleaning solution.

• 11

  Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from the cleaning solution.

• 12

  Wash the aluminum windows by mixing the trisodium phosphate, bleach and 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Use a scrub brush or a sponge to clean the windows.

• 13

  Rinse the windows well with a water hose and allow them to dry.

• 14

  Place painter's tape around the window panes and the outside of the frames. This helps you to paint more swiftly in these areas.

• 15

  Cover the aluminum windows with a metal primer intended for exterior use. Use a quality paintbrush to apply the primer and wait for it to dry thoroughly.

• 16

  Apply exterior metal paint over the windows by using a clean paintbrush. Two coats of paint is usually sufficient to provide adequate coverage, but let the coats dry completely in between the applications.

• 17

  Remove the covering from your plants and bushes. Take off the painter's tape from around the windows as well.