Paint anodized aluminum?

[Walter R.]

My sliding patio door screens are unsightly and would probably benefit from a coat of paint. The frames are made of almost-black-bronze anodized aluminum. They are not damaged except for some scratches and unsightly discolorations after 25 years of use and exposure.

I will be replacing the screening material after I have painted the frames.

Can I use canned spray paint (black is OK) to paint anodized aluminum? Any better suggestions?

Thanks

[Jim]

Hello Walter... Aluminum is a bitch to paint as it has an oxidized surface that is hard to penetrate without heat etc...you'll need an aluminum primer before going at the final colour...lots of mucking around..... However, another product for aluminum is called "Aluminum black"... It comes in a paste form and is used for aluminum gun parts. It is more durable than any paint in my opinion. Would have to get it at a gunsmith store or here is a link::

Hope that helps... Jim

[ransley]

As having painted 20 years as a pro and done to many houses and aluminum storms all I can say is aluminum is the easiest thing to paint and have last, it doesnt expand like or contact like wood or rust like steel. Clean well with soap, a plastic scouring pad works well. Use a top latex like Ben Moore Aura and a primer isnt needed. 2 places I have where I painted my aluminum storms in the 80s and they are not peeling.

[RicodJour]

That's probably an excellent way to refinish the screen door frames. Simple to apply, no build up and specifically made to coat aluminum.

R

[Twayne]

Gotta agree; same experience here. The metal wore out from use, but the paint job was perfectly fine after aoubt 18 years when I replaced them. I've painted a lot of aluminim in the shop where I use it.

[aemeijers]

For mill-finish, maybe. OPs frames are anodized.

-- aem sends...

[robb]

benefit from

anodized

unsightly

the frames.

aluminum? Any

Just refinished a sliding screen door frame with a similar problem and screen rot. It had dark Brown/Bronze annodized finish with some finish problems.

I used a spray paint product (? name can't remember?) from ACE that was practically a match for the finish.

I do not see it on ACE's web site but it was a spray paint that said something like dark bronze annodized aluminum finish. It was meant to touch up those outdoor products that have that dark brown annodized finish {eg. lamp posts, walkway lights, screen frames, etc }

It worked well and had an almost plastic/teflon feel to it when it dried.

hth robb

[RicodJour]

I couldn't find the instructions for the Birchwood Casey stuff, but the description tends to make me think you can use it on anodized aluminum.

"The room temperature chemical used by gunsmiths and industry to blacken aluminum parts. Restores scratched and marred areas quickly. Fast-acting liquid is easy to apply with no dimensional change. Color will vary from deep gray to black depending on alloy. ALUMINUM BLACK Metal Finish is also excellent for blackening name plates, plaques, trophies and other engraved items "

That last sentence is the clincher for me. Engraved name plates used to be brass, now they're mostly aluminum - anodized aluminum.

R

[Walter R.]

Thanks, Robb, that probably what I need.

Did you do any prep work, like priming?