Painting is one of the easiest, most common home improvement projects. If you’re painting your window sills or doors, there are a few things you need to do beforehand to ensure your paint job comes out like you envisioned.
And if you never want to paint your windows or doors again, contact Window World of Central Alabama! Our windows and doors are made of virgin vinyl and with a gorgeous range of colors, they’re designed to never fade, chip, or peel. All of that means you’ll never have to worry about painting them.
But if you don’t have Window World products in your home and you’d like to paint them, we’ve got a quick guide to prepping your windows and doors for a fresh coat of paint.
Planning Your Paint Day
The best way to start prepping your windows and doors to paint your home is to plan your paint day a few weeks ahead. For the best results, paint in the spring or fall so you can take advantage of that warm Central Alabama weather. Read on to learn the prep process for maintaining your windows and doors.
What is the Best Temperature to Paint Outside?
The best temperature to paint outside depends on the type of paint you use. If you choose oil-based paint, you should only paint when it’s between 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit. For latex-based paint, the weather needs to be at least 50 degrees but no hotter than 85 degrees.
What Is The Best Time of Year to Paint The Outside of Your House?
Luckily for Central Alabama, the warmer climate makes it so that you can paint most of the year, just be sure not to paint during the hottest parts of the summer. Follow these guidelines for the best results. Also, check the back of your paint can to see if they include information about when you can paint.
Prepping Your Doors for Painting
Before you start to paint, follow these steps to prep your doors:
Remove Your Door
The easiest way to start painting your door is to remove the door from the hinges with a screwdriver. That way, you can paint all sides of the door easily.
Lay The Door On Ground
Next, you want to place the door flat on the ground to continue the prep work. You need to lay the door on a surface that won’t scratch it, so we recommend laying down a drop cloth.
Sand the Door
If you have a wooden door, you need to sand it to smooth the surface for the paint to properly adhere and blend. When both sides of the door are completely smooth, you’re done sanding.
Clean Off Any Debris
Next, clean the door surface from sanding. You want to ensure that the surface is clean before you start painting. To clean your door, vacuum up any dust from sanding and wipe down with a damp cloth. Let it dry completely before painting. If you skip this step, you could end up with a messy paint job.
Tape the Door
The last step is to tape off the parts of your doors that you don’t want painted like the door knobs, locks, and peephole. Use painter’s tape to ensure you get a clean edge and the tape doesn’t damage your door.
Prepping Your Window Sills for Painting
Get your windows paint ready with these easy to follow steps:
Scrape Any Chipped Paint From Window Sill
Before you paint, scrape off any chipped paint or debris from your windows. This step helps the paint cover the surface more smoothly.
Clean Your Window Sills
Window sills naturally collect dirt and debris over time. To prep for painting, wipe off your window sills with a damp cloth. Now that your window sills are clean, rinse them with a clean cloth to remove any leftover dirt.
Sand the Window Sills
Once your window sills are dry, be sure to sand them so that the surface is smooth for painting. Similarly to your doors, be sure to vacuum up any dust and wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth.
Tape the Window Frame
To prevent paint from getting on your window frame, we recommend taping off the frame. This ensures your window panes, surrounding wall, and other areas remain paint-free.
Trade Your Doors & Windows for Low-Maintenance Options from Window World
Want to save time and effort instead of doing it yourself? Windows and doors from Window World of Central Alabama are designed, so that they never need to be repainted. Our windows and doors are available in a variety of colors to match your home’s interior and exterior, so you never have to worry about painting again. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!