Learn the Easy Steps to Give Your Aluminum Storm Door Fresh Color & New Life
Painting an aluminum storm door is an easy and fun task, but it’s important to take the right steps to make sure it’s done right and looks great. This step-by-step guide will help you paint your storm door so that it looks as good as new, without any extra effort.
Before you start painting, it’s important to remove the aluminum storm door from its hinges and accessories. Unscrew the retaining screws from the hinge, going from the bottom upwards. Once the door is off the hinges, use a metal filler and putty knife to fill in any dents or deep scratches. This step is important because regular wood filler won’t be able to withstand the weather.
Once that step is done, use sand paper to smooth down the aluminum surface. Make sure to remove any excess sanding dust and dirt with a damp cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol afterward. If there are rusty patches on the primer on the aluminum storm door, it’s best to put a fresh layer of primer over the entire thing. This step seals up the surface and helps your paint job look better. Use a metal primer spray can to evenly apply the primer and let it dry completely.
If there are windows in your aluminum storm door, there is likely some caulk around them. To ensure the best finish, it’s a good idea to use a utility knife to scrape off the caulk. Sand down the door afterwards, if necessary, to make sure the surface is smooth again.
Latex paint is best when painting aluminum storm doors. Before choosing a color, keep in mind that your storm door will be exposed to sunlight, so a darker color won’t bring in much energy efficiency and will likely make the paint fade quickly. To get the best finish, use a small pain roller and brush. Start by applying paint around the edges with a brush, then use a small three to six inches foam roller to paint the rest of the door. Try to use even strokes and apply three coats of paint, allowing each coat to completely dry before you start the next one.
Once all your coats have been applied and have dried, you can resecure the door to its hinges and admire your newly painted aluminum storm door!