Revamp Your Old Aluminium Doors
Aluminium doors have undergone a makeover in recent years, transforming the once functional but frumpy styles into chic and contemporary. However, new doors come with a hefty price tag that not everyone can afford. Thankfully, upcycling is in fashion, meaning you won’t be stuck with your retro 80’s aluminium door forever. All you need is a little inspiration, a pot of paint and a good measure of elbow grease!
Which Paint is Suitable for Aluminium Doors?
It’s difficult to find a paint that adheres to aluminium doors, but there are a few suitable ranges. Metal spray paint is the best option, though this needs a well-ventilated area for application, and to ensure optimal results, the door needs to be removed from the hinges before painting. Acrylic latex paint is another good choice and although it is more painstaking to apply evenly, it can be done with the door in situ.
Prepping the Door
Before beginning the painting process, aluminium doors need to be thoroughly degreased and cleaned. Sugar soap is an excellent detergent that eradicates all traces of dirt and grime. Remove any panels of glass where possible, or if not, cover them with newspaper and mask them off. Similarly, handles or fittings that cannot be easily removed need to be covered and taped.
Priming the Door
Priming is often seen as an optional step when it comes to painting, but for aluminium doors, it’s an absolute necessity. Even the best metal paint won’t stick to an aluminium surface that hasn’t been primed. Use a metal etching primer for the best results. This needs to dry completely before applying the paint.
Do I Need to Sand Before Painting?
Strictly speaking, no. But if the surface of the door feels very bumpy or uneven after priming, then sanding will help give a smoother finish when the aluminium door is painted. Use a sanding block and gently work in one direction until any imperfections are levelled out. If you do choose to sand, remember that the door needs to be cleaned again afterwards to eliminate any residual dust or particles.
Get Painting!
After all that prep, the painting is the easy part. You will probably need at least 2 coats for decent coverage, though many people opt for 3 or 4 to ensure a good weatherproof finish. It’s worth remembering that several layers of thin coats give a much better finish than 1 or 2 thicker coats. Each layer will take at least 4 hours to dry completely. Once the last coat has been applied, the paint should be left overnight before removing any tape to guarantee that it comes off cleanly.
Valley Windows Melbourne
If all of the above sounds like too much hard work, and you have your budget and sights set on something a little better, then check out our fantastic range of aluminium doors. Visit our showrooms for more information or contact us here to arrange a call back from one of our team.