How to Repaint an Aluminum Awning

Remove the old paint from the aluminum awning. If possible, you may want to contact the original manufacturer to determine the best cleaning agent, but you can also use a chemical stripper containing methylene chloride or a blaster and plastic blasting media, which can also strip the paint without degrading the aluminum surface. Always follow the directions that come with the chemical stripper to prevent injury, illness or death. Avoid abrasive cleaning techniques and alkaline or acidic chemicals, as they can damage the finish of the awning.

Use a pressure washer to clean the awning after the stripper loosens the paint. Depending on the cleaning process you used, you may need to rinse the awning with a water and sponge and collect the runoff to avoid environmental hazards before you pressure wash.

Improve the paint adhesion to the aluminum by treating the surface with a chromium phosphate wash. While there are other pretreatment methods available, chromium phosphate deoxidizes the surface of the aluminum and removes surface imperfections in the process. Coating weights for the wash range from 60 to 80 mg/sq ft.

Let the coating dry and then rinse the awning. Again, you'll need to take precautions to catch the runoff in order to prevent environmental hazards. You may want to place a tarp under the awning and collect the runoff in buckets in order to prevent chemicals from seeping into the ground.

Allow the awning to dry completely and then apply the paint of your choice. For the best results, you will want to use an exterior paint designed for use with aluminum surfaces. One gallon of paint should cover a 300 to 400 square foot area. To cover the area, you may want to use a paint sprayer, which can create a more uniform surface than a brush or a roller.