DIY Question: Painting the windows and ledges

[network_engineer]

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the apt section for posting this question, but we don't have a DIY in Finland section!

We plan to paint the windows starting next year [summer] and want to prepare for it early enough. I plan to use oil based paint, I might buy the full gloss (i.e. as opposed to water-based paint for the furniture, I tried it; didn't like it)

Some questions though:

- How do I ensure a streak-free paint-job? I also plan to sand down the ledges, to get the old paint off, but is there some primer that I use to give it a very smooth finish? The reason I ask this the last time I painted, I could still see the streaks of the brush [strokes] as opposed to a completely smooth paint-job.

Any advice to the above? Any other advice? Should I be doing something else before the final coat? Anything I should apply in-between coats to give the paint-job a longer life?

Thanks a lot.

Kind regards.

[Rosamunda]

Anything I should apply in-between coats to give the paint-job a longer life?

Aluminium window frames rule...

We have wooden frames at the mökki and I need to do them next summer (well, last summer really).

There are a few DIYers on the forum so you should get some (useful) advice. Mattlill2000 has really given me some great advice on DIY in the past.... not seen him around for a while though.

The only suggestion I would make is that you should avoid painting in direct sunlight eg midday on a hot day. I know Finland is a cold country and all that but... The paint dries too quickly and that can leave you with paint brush streaks/strokes. Might also be something to do with brush you are using. My dad always said "you can't spend too much on a paint brush".

[karel]

We plan to paint the windows starting next year [summer] and want to prepare for it early enough.

Painting glass is a particularly tricky job to get streak-free, but....

Sorry, couldn't help myself



You can get rollers in all sizes, even in about 2 cms wide for the smallest frames. Use the rollers and don't smear with brushes, that'll just leave hairs and streaks.
Ask for the suitable primer at the store (Värisilmat, Bauhaus, K-Rauta). Especially the first one has very knowledgeable personnel. Roll with as thick a layer as possible without it starting to drip. If you need to press and re-roll several times, you'll get the visible paint-track.
I've found oil-based paint easier to do a neat paint-job than water-based.

[umit]

Hi! I'm not an experienced DIY person but I recall something from my uncles DIY works

After sanding down the old paint and getting a smooth surface you need to apply -I don't know what it is called- a cellulosic base-paint first. Once this base-paint dried sand any roughness down again with a finer one. Then apply the oil based paint (it's better if you use a roll, a paint spray is the best). To get a streak-free surface make the paint thin enough (you can use thinner)! Thick/Dense paint is difficult to work with...

[Mattlill2000]

I really shouldn't but why not........(once bitten twice shy)
-The only way to get a streak free finish is to spray and that is no good because the paint must be thinned in order it be sprayed properly and that makes the quality of the job not up to par for windows.
-Brush streaks with a high quality oil brush only enhances the finishes as it is handmade. It is unavoidable.
-Dont even think of rollers. You have to eventually use a brush to cover the areas the roller couldn't reach, so why bother.

A properly painted window cannot just be done. It takes years of practice to master the proper amount of paint to apply and to distribute the paint for a "less" streaky finish before the paint "kicks". When a paint kicks, you have to accept the finish the way it is and if it isn't, sand down and try again. Sunlight dramatically lessens the time before a paint kicks.
With the technological advances of water based paints, they are way easier to use than oil as they are more forgiving, but to me the quality just isn't the same. An oil based paint takes it times to dry and levels out better (less streakiness) but that also means it can take its time to develop drips, which ruin a paint job.
Then the cutting, (the edge of the paint were it meets the window) When applying the paint, lock your wrist and elbow and paint with your shoulder. Masking tape is for amatuers, but may be the only option.
Interior of Exterior??? Different painting styles required. Interior, tight and tidy, enough to have an adequate covereage, no more. Exterior. Liberal application, on to the window a bit to stop moisture penetration and properly applied, can look as good as an interior window.
Finland has excellent paints. Any oil based primer will do. Unfortunately the stores that sell paint nowadays have salespeople who have no idea, and if you want to have a white finish, they will sell you paint that is only suitable for tinting (A base, it should be AP base, but that is too expensive to fill the shelves with) and the white will not cover properly. You have ask for "lista valkoinen!" the white colour used in trimming. "maalari valkoinen" a little dirty or grey in colour. Any top quality topcoat will do. I prefer Empire. You may have to hurry to buy oilbased paints. There is nasty rumour going on that interior oilbased paints will be phased out shortly, for enviormental reasons.
This is just a start, but go for it and if you have any more questions please pm me and I can help, if you trust my judjement though. Some here don't. Good luck!

[Pursuivant]

I am asking who is going to f* put their nose to the window to seeing it streaked?

[Rob A.]

...

[Pursuivant]

Looking good from a distance Thats why some people drive their cars fast - it can't take closer scrutiny