Painting metal exterior trim is a great way to add a pop of colour or hide the rusty spots. But painting metal is a tricky thing to do, so here are some helpful tips for making sure you get the job done right.
Tips For Painting Metal Exterior Trim
Sometimes it’s the small things and final little touches that really make a difference on your home’s exterior. We all want our exterior painting to look nice and make a good impression on the neighbours. That even comes down to the trim! If you have metal exterior trim and you’re looking for some good tips on how to paint it, keep reading!
1. Use the Right Tools
When painting aluminum siding, it’s important to use the right tools for the job. We recommend using a brush rather than a roller when working with metal siding. Rollers tend to leave streaks and marks on the surface of the siding that are hard to get out later on down the road. Brushes also tend to be easier for applying paint around corners, edges, and other tight spaces where rollers may not fit as well.
2. Wear Gloves
Safety first! Make sure you wear gloves while working with metal siding so that your hands do not become contaminated with paint fumes or other chemicals used during the painting process (such as primer or sealer). This will help prevent any chemical burns or rashes from occurring during the application of these products onto your hands or skin areas where they could accidentally come into contact with them during the painting process.
3. Prepare Your Surfaces
Preparation is key! Make sure all surfaces are clean, dry, and free from debris before applying paint to them. This will help ensure that the paint does not flake off later on down the road due to poor adhesion or other factors that could cause it to harm over time (such as water spots or scratches).
4. Choose the best time of the year to paint
The best time of year to paint metal trim is in the spring or summer when the weather is warm enough for the paint to dry quickly but not too hot that it will bake your house. If you live somewhere where summers are extremely hot, consider painting during the cooler months or hiring someone else to do it for you!
5. Use high-quality primer and paints
As with any painting project, the quality of your primer and trim paint can make or break the final result. If you’re painting something that is going to be exposed to the elements, it’s important to use high-quality primer and paint. Cheap paints may look good when they are new but will flake off over time due to poor adhesion or other factors that could cause them to harm down the road (such as water spots or scratches). Choose a high-quality acrylic latex primer that will provide great adhesion and hide imperfections in your trim.
How to Paint Exterior Trim Like a Pro?
Materials Needed To Paint your Outside Window Trim:
- Quality Painters Tape
- Pressure Washer
- Rags
- Bucket of Soap and Water
- Wood Wedge
- Pry Bar
- Wood Putty
- Caulking
- Pliers
- Drop Cloth/Tarp/Cardboard
- Galvanized Metal Etching Primer
- Paintbrush
- Acrylic Latex Paint
- Pot or Bucket/Can (can hold about 2 Gallons)
- Hammer
- Nails
- Water
Step 1: Prepare the Metal Exterior Trim First
How do you prepare exterior trim for painting?
Similar to humans, your window trim is likely to need a good scrubbing before showing up to the party! This prep work is vital before you even get near the paint. You want to be rid of all that built-up dirt and grime that’s collected over the years.
- Start by cleaning the window trim and/or removing the metal trim by using a pressure washer or a good old-fashioned scrub down using a rag and some soap and water.
- Apply painter’s tape around the adjoining areas that you do not wish to get paint on.
Step 2: Remove the Exterior Metal Trim
- If you need to remove the exterior trim you can do so by using a wood wedge and placing it so that it rests against the wall behind the trim so you can have leverage when you use the pry bar. Use a thin pry bar and pry the window or door trim away from the surface it is attached to. You’ll pry through the old nails and this will make the new holes in the trim larger so keep that in mind when reattaching it. Carefully lift and shift it so that the pry bar is flat and not going to damage the metal trim.
- Use pliers where necessary. And make sure you clean and fix any leftover surface imperfections where the metal windows trim once was with wood putty or caulking.
Step 3: Prime/Paint the Metal Windows Trim
- Once you have removed the exterior door or window’s metal trim carefully, lay the metal exterior trim out on a tarp or cardboard so that you can paint on top of it and not worry about making a mess.
- Use the galvanized etching metal primer and apply a coat of it to the exterior metal trim or exterior metal railings. Allow to dry and apply a second coat of paint to the trim to rid of visible brush marks. Allow this to dry as well.
- Here is where it gets a little unusual, if you try mixing the acrylic latex paint in a can with water using a wooden dipstick you’ll get a much better result on your exterior metal trim painting! Allow to dry.
- Reattach the window’s metal trim using a hammer and larger nails than previously used (because this will assure a tighter seal) and then VOILA! You have a perfectly polished and lasting outdoor paint job on your exterior metal trim.
A few more hints by a Toronto painting contractor:
- You always need to use an etching primer when painting exterior metal trim or else the paint over top of the trim will be pointless as it will chip away – quickly.
- Acrylic Latex Paint is the best paint for exterior aluminum window trim because it has a hard finish that is strong and long-lasting.
- The measurement/volume to use when mixing the diluted paint solution is about 1 gallon of acrylic paint and 1 oz water.
Exterior restoration, carpentry and painting
How to Pick the Right Exterior Painting Colours
Choosing the right exterior window trim paint colours is not an easy task. You need to consider several things, including the:
- • The overall style of your home.
- • Architectural style and age of your home.
- • Size and shape of your windows.
- • Colour scheme and décor inside your home.
If you don’t know where to start, there are a few simple rules that can help you get started in picking the best trim paint colours for your house.
- If you want a subtle and cohesive message for your home’s exterior, you’ll want to choose a trim shade that’s a few shades lighter or darker than your main colour. For example, if you’re going with a light cream, like Calming Cream, for your main exterior painting colour, go with a tan for your trim and accents.
- If you want something a bit more bold, you can think about creating a nice contrast. For example, you really can’t go wrong with a cream or white house with black trim. To paint aluminum window trim black is a great way to add a modern and sleek look to your home’s exterior. It’s classic and timeless!
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If you’re thinking of doing some exterior house painting but don’t want to do the work yourself, let our exterior painters help! Even if you are undecided, professional house painters can help you with any problems or questions you may have. If the work involved in house painting sounds like it involves too much time and energy to do yourself, call 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com for a FREE quote. And don’t forget to follow us on our social media channels below!
