What kid of paint do I use to paint on aluminum (door Frame)?
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Answers:
Your getting allot of bad advise. Paint does not adhere well to aluminum. If you want good advise - talk to your local paint store.
put on some primer first, than a good durable outdoor paint
enamel, this is not water clean up-go get mineral spirits also
First you need clean the frame and make sure it is smooth.. Then use a latex corrosive-inhibitive primer. Then apply a top of the line acrylic-latex paint.
If it's already painted, the frame needs to be scuffed enough to allow the paint to "bite." If not, you should look for a suitable DTM (direct to metal) paint.
Pre-painted surfaces would be better if primed first. Oil-based primer such as Cover Stain would be fine.
Once primed, any GOOD quality latex paint will adhere. Try scratching the dry primer with your finger nail before painting. If it does not come off, then you can paint. If it does, you need to sand it down and use something else. You can also test it with masking tape. Press a piece of tape across the surface and then rip it off. If it comes off clean, you're ready to paint.
EDIT: I run a paint store and have a pretty good idea about what I'm talking about. Whatever paint and primer you use, it must be specified for aluminum.
What kind of paint isn't as important as....
1. a clean surface
2. a primer and make sure there is no ammonia in the primer because it will react with the aluminum and your paint will blister and bubble. Choices are a good clear acrylic bonding primer or just an oil base primer.
3. Picking the right color is important because you don't want to do it again anytime soon, I'm sure you have better things to do than paint a door frame.
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