How to Paint an Aluminum Clad Door

Aluminum clad doors are wood, metal, vinyl or glass doors surrounded by an aluminum frame. Cladding can also be used as trim in the door itself to hold glass panels. Aluminum cladding is sturdy and durable, and it often comes prepainted by the manufacturer. If your cladding color needs updating, you can paint it yourself. Do the project on an overcast day without rain, when the temperatures are moderate. This ensures that primer and paint do not dry too quickly.

Warm, soapy water
Rough-sided sponge
Bleach
Painter's tape
Drop cloth
All-surface acrylic primer
Polyester paintbrush
Exterior acrylic paint

Instructions

- 1
  Wash the aluminum cladding in warm, soapy water using the rough side of a sponge. Rinse with water from the hose. If there are mildew spots on the door, spray on a solution of three parts water to one part bleach and scrub with the sponge, then rinse. Let the cladding air dry.
- 2
  Put painter's tape along the edges of the door, glass or siding where it meets the cladding. Place a drop cloth under the door.
- 3
  Apply a thin, even layer of an all-surface acrylic primer using a polyester paintbrush. Start at the top of the door and work down. Let the primer dry for 24 hours.
- 4
  Apply one coat of an exterior acrylic paint over the primer in your color choice. Start at the top of the door and go down to the bottom. Let it dry, then apply another coat for a darker finish. Let the paint dry for 24 hours.
- 5
  Remove the tape. Remove the drop cloth.

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