Revamping Old Window Exteriors: Can They Be Painted?

Painting your window exteriors is a great way to boost your home's curb appeal. With the right tools and materials, you can complete the job yourself. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when painting old window exteriors. Firstly, it is important to understand the different parts of the window, such as the window casing and the window sash. The casing is the stationary frame that holds the window sash, which is the part that moves up and down. When painting windows with two colours, it is crucial to understand the proportions and colour placement to avoid making your house look bad.

Before painting, it is essential to clean the window frame and remove any loose paint and window putty. You can use trisodium phosphate (TSP) to clean the window frame, but remember to wear protective gear such as rubber gloves, a mask, and goggles. After cleaning, you can start painting, but make sure to use quality exterior trim paint, which is specially made for outdoor trim along windows and doors. When choosing colours, consider using neutral colours like black, white, tan, taupe, and gray, or go with two or three trim colours.

Additionally, lead paint safety is important, especially if your house was built before 1978. Be sure to follow the EPA's renovation, repair, and painting program guidelines. Finally, remember that painting window exteriors can be a simple way to give your windows and home a fresh new look.

Clean the window frame

To clean the window frame, start by checking for any signs of mould. Windows endure a lot of wear and tear, and because they have to withstand rain and sunlight, they can be a breeding ground for mould. If you see any signs of mould or are unsure, clean the window with a fungicidal wash before painting.

Next, if you can see any gaps between the frame and the glass, use a putty knife or a sharp spatula to apply a filling material, such as multi-purpose putty or an acrylic glazing sealant. Allow the filling material to dry completely.

Now, remove the locks and handles from the frame. If you want to be able to open and close the window while painting, you can leave one screw in. You may find that opening and closing the window a few times helps to loosen the paint.

Then, use a putty knife to remove any loose, flaking paint. Find the loosest part of the peeling paint and get under it, lifting and scraping as you go. When you've removed as much paint as you can, lightly sand the frame with medium-grade (P120-180) sandpaper. This will remove any remaining bumps and slightly roughen the surfaces to help your new coatings stick. Remember to wear a face mask during sanding to prevent breathing in any dust.

With the prep almost finished, it's time to give the area a good clean. Use a vacuum to remove any paint scraps on and around the window frames, then wipe them down with a damp cloth to get rid of any remaining traces of dust.

Once your windows are clean and dry, you're ready to prime and paint!

Use a putty knife to remove loose paint

To remove loose paint from old window exteriors, you can use a putty knife. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the Work Area: Lay plastic sheeting or a drop cloth underneath the window to catch any falling paint chips and debris.
• Choose the Right Putty Knife: Select a putty knife with a blade width appropriate for the size of the window. For larger surfaces, a wide blade is preferable, while a narrow blade is better suited for filling small nail holes. You can also choose between plastic, steel, and brass blades, with plastic blades being disposable and carbon steel blades offering more durability and longevity.
• Scrape Away Loose Paint: Hold the putty knife at a slight angle to the window frame, and gently push it under the loose paint until it lifts. Work your way around the window, carefully removing as much paint and putty as possible.
• Switch to a Wire Brush: Once you've removed the majority of the loose paint with the putty knife, switch to a wire-bristled brush. This will help you reach into crevices and remove any remaining paint or putty.
• Sand the Area: After scraping and brushing, use sandpaper with a block or power sander to smooth out the window trim. Continue sanding until the surface feels smooth to the touch.
• Practice Lead Paint Safety: If your house was built before 1978, there is a possibility of lead paint. Always refer to the EPA's renovation, repair, and painting program guidelines when working on older surfaces that may contain lead paint.
• Reseal the Window: After removing the old paint and putty, it's time to reseal the window. Wear gloves and roll the putty into a thin tube with your fingers. Press the putty into any bare spots around the window.
• Create a Smooth Surface: Use a putty knife to flatten the putty and create a smooth, sloping surface. Dampen your finger and slide it along the putty in the opposite direction to remove any imperfections.
• Allow the Putty to Dry: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for drying time. Once the putty is dry, you can proceed with priming and painting the window.

Choose the right paint

Painting the exterior of your home is a great way to boost your home's curb appeal. Choosing the right paint for your window exteriors is important to ensure the paint job lasts. Here are some tips for choosing the right paint:

• Match the paint to the window material: Window trim can be made from wood, vinyl, aluminum, or steel, and each of these materials requires a specific type of paint. Using the wrong type of paint can cause the paint to flake off within a year. For exterior wood trim, choose a premium exterior gloss paint (either oil or acrylic). For interior wood trim, a high-quality latex gloss paint is a good option. If you have vinyl windows, look for an exterior gloss paint specifically made for vinyl as regular paint will eventually peel off. Metal trim should be painted with an exterior gloss paint labelled for use on metal, which often contains rust-resistant chemicals.
• Consider the weather conditions: If you're painting exterior window trim, check the weather forecast and choose a day when the temperature will be between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Hotter temperatures can cause the paint to dry too quickly, affecting the quality of the finish. Avoid painting on windy or rainy days to prevent unwanted spatter on your home's siding.
• Prepare the surface: Start by scraping away any peeling paint with a paint scraper. Remove old caulking using a caulk removal tool or a metal putty knife. Clean the trim with a suitable cleanser to get rid of dust, dirt, and grime. Sand the trim to smooth out the surface and improve paint adhesion. If there is damage to the wood, fill any holes with an expanding filler.
• Use the right tools: For best results when painting window trim, use a small angled paintbrush instead of a flat paintbrush. Brushes with soft-grip handles can make the job easier. You can also use a paint shield to prevent paint splatter and smudges on the walls.
• Choose a colour that suits your home and the climate: While you can get creative with colours, it's important to pick a colour that's in keeping with the style of your home and the other houses in the area. If you plan to sell your home soon, a relatively neutral colour is a safe choice. In areas with lots of sun exposure, lighter colours are generally used for vinyl window frames as darker colours absorb more heat, which can cause warping.

Prepare the surface

Before you start painting, you'll need to prepare the surface of your windows. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Clean the window frame: Use trisodium phosphate (TSP) to clean the window frame and remove any dirt, grease, or glossy residue. Mix TSP powder with warm water in a cleaning bucket, and use a sponge to wipe down the window trim. Then, rinse with clean, warm water. Wear rubber gloves, a mask, and goggles for safety.
• Remove loose paint: Use a putty knife to remove loose paint and window putty from around the edge of the window. Gently push the scraper end of the putty knife under the paint and putty until it lifts, then remove as much as you can.
• Sand the area: After removing loose paint, use a wire-bristled brush to continue cleaning the area. Finish by sanding the window trim with sandpaper using a block or power sander until it feels smooth.
• Reseal windows: Wear gloves and use your fingers to roll the putty into a thin tube. Press the putty into any bare spots around the window. Use a putty knife to create a flat, sloping surface, then slide a damp finger along the putty in the opposite direction to remove any flaws.
• Prime the window: Before painting, apply a coat of primer to the window. Use a paintbrush to sweep primer onto bare wood and let it dry completely. The primer will prepare the surface for paint and help the colour stick.

Paint the window

Painting your window exteriors is a great way to boost your home's curb appeal. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve professional results:

Step 1: Clean the Window Frame

Start by cleaning the window frame with trisodium phosphate (TSP) to remove dirt, grease, and glossy residue. TSP is a powder that you mix with warm water in a cleaning bucket. Wear rubber gloves, a mask, and goggles for safety. Use a sponge to wipe down the window trim, then rinse with clean, warm water.

Step 2: Remove Old Paint and Putty

Use a putty knife to remove loose paint and window putty from around the edge of the window. Putty is used to secure the glass and keep out the weather. Gently push the scraper end of the putty knife under the paint and putty until it lifts, then remove as much as possible. Switch to a wire-bristled brush to continue removing paint. Finally, sand the area with sandpaper using a block or power sander until the window trim feels smooth.

Step 3: Reseal Windows with Fresh Putty

Wear gloves and use your fingers to roll the putty into a thin tube. Press the putty into any bare spots and use a putty knife to create a flat, sloping surface. Slide a damp finger along the putty in the opposite direction to remove any flaws. Allow the putty to dry for the manufacturer's recommended time.

Step 4: Prime the Window

Once the putty is dry, you can start priming. Sweep primer onto bare wood with a paintbrush and let it dry completely. The primer will prepare the trim for paint and help the colour stick. When priming, start with a clean paintbrush.

Step 5: Paint the Window

Now it's time to paint! Choose a quality exterior trim paint that is specially made for outdoor trim along windows and doors. Look for paint that sticks to common trim materials and can last a long time.

When choosing colours, consider these tips:

• Neutral colours like black, white, tan, taupe, and gray go well with many paint colours.
• Go a little darker than the rest of your exterior paint. Window trim is often the darkest colour on a home.
• Don't be afraid to use two or three trim colours. You can set your own rules for how to use them, such as using a lighter trim colour on the first floor and a slightly darker one on the second.

Apply a thin layer of paint, avoiding the tracks where the windows slide up and down. If paint gets into the tracks, use a painter's rag and paint thinner to remove it before it dries.

Place painter's tape between the window frame and the siding or other material on your house, then paint the rest of the window. Let the paint dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 6: Clean Up and Inspect

Once the paint is dry, decide if you need another coat for full coverage. Slowly pull away any painter's tape. Use a single-edged razor scraper tool to remove any paint on the glass.

Tips for Painting Vinyl Windows

If you have vinyl windows, there are a few extra considerations to keep in mind:

• Check with the manufacturer before painting, as it may void the warranty.
• Avoid using dark colours on window exteriors, as they can cause the vinyl to warp.
• Use a vinyl-safe paint that has reflective properties to prevent warping.
• Lightly sand vinyl window frames before painting to create a rough surface for the paint to grip.

Frequently asked questions