HOW TO PAINT
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Those who are looking for advice regarding how to paint window trim on the interior of your home can use this
PAINTING INTERIOR WINDOWS LINK
which will take you to another page on the site. If you require exterior window trim painting help, it follows on this page.
Trim that has stains, from water for example will need a stain blocker applied over the stain so as to keep the stain from bleeding through your top coat of paint. Talk to your local paint supplier regarding tools and products that you will need to help you learn how to paint window trim.
Most other window frames and trim, whether they are made from metal, vinyl, or manufactured woods need to be coated using products recommended specifically for the type of material being primed, stained or painted, ask your local paint dealer for assistance regarding how to paint window trim.
Exterior Alkyd
Alkyds (oil based products) do have some advantages, durability is one and the way alkyd flows over a surface with few brush or roller marks is another. If your window frame or trim has been coated using an alkyd paint or stain in the past, it might be a good idea to stick with the same kind of product when recoating.
Disadvantages with alkyds are the smell, long drying times, and of course clean up is a little more intensive than with a latex product. Oil based products on exterior surfaces depending on environmental conditions also don’t seem to last as long as a latex coating.
Exterior Latex
Latex will work well when deciding on paint for a window frames or trim, even if the frame or trim has been coated using an alkyd (oil) based product in the past. Just be sure to prep the window frame or trim properly and sand glossy areas if needed, then use a high quality exterior latex product designated to go over dried alkyd or oil coatings.
Some people prefer a glossier paint, as the higher shine of a gloss coating tends to make the paint's finish harder and can take a little more abuse. With that hardness comes ease of cleaning when the coating for a front door becomes dirty. Do keep in mind though, when learning how to paint window trim a high gloss finish tends to show all the imperfections that your doors and jambs may have, (cracks, bumps, dents) making it the least appealing sheen for most people to appreciate.
Semi gloss gives you the shine level you need for both durability and ease of cleaning, yet isn't overly glossy or hard to look at. Semi gloss can also add contrast to a homes paint scheme, especially when the paint for a window frame and it's trim are done in a semi gloss application and the siding of the house has a, satin, eggshell or flat finish.
One other good color selecting idea is to pick up a few of the paint stores exterior color suggestion pamphlets. All the good stores carry such pamphlets and they will usually show you a group of three or more colors that work well together to accentuate the trim and focal points of the outside of your home.
When buying paint for your window frames and trim and you need to select colors, keep in mind that the lighter a color is the longer it will last. With that said, you can use darker colors but you may have to repaint a little sooner than if your color choice where white, even so, the uniqueness that the darker colors give and how they compliment other colors, usually out ways having to recoat a little sooner than with lighter colors.
Below are some tools you may need while you learn how to paint window trim.
Paint/Primer.
Painters Tape.
Sand paper (100 to 120 grit).
Caulking/gun, filler, putty (paintable).
Scrapers (for glass and flaking paint).
2 1/2 inch sash brush.
Cut can paint (1/3rd or less filed with paint).
Ladder
Protect areas that you don't want to see paint on by using drop clothes, painters tape, plastic, cardboard or paper.
Thoroughly scrape and sand old flaking paint, then spot prime areas with have raw wood, metal or vinyl using the proper primer recommended for the surface being coated. Talk to your local paint supplier regarding tools and products to use for the job being done.
Fill cracks and holes with paintable filler and caulking, use window putty if necessary. Your paint supplier or home improvement center will help you decide what products and tools you will need, and how to apply them, just make sure you completely describe what your painting and any problems you see, that may need repairs.
Use painters tape on the window pane if your not comfortable with a paint brush and don't want to scrape dried paint from the glass when you get paint on it.
Stir your coating thoroughly, (re-stir as needed) then have your brush, and cut can (1/3rd full or less), ready to go.
PAINTING WINDOW FRAME/TRIM
If you need a ladder, set it up so that your ladder in the best position for you to paint your window with the fewest ladder moves. Be sure to follow all safety rules given by the manufacturer when using a ladder.
1. To begin teaching yourself how to paint window trim, start from the top, closest to the window glass, use your sash brush and cut can of paint to cut in the window frame. Try not to put excess amounts of coating on the brush to start, you can make the brush wetter (but not to wet) as you get more comfortable with what your doing.
2. Draw your brush across from one top corner working towards the other top corner then down to the bottom corner. Dip the brush in your cut can as needed.
You don’t want paint ridges, runs, marks or sags, so remove any as soon as you see them.
3. What your doing with your brush, is painting in sections and working your way out from next to the glass to where the trim runs around the window.
4. With your first coat done and dry, lightly sand your work and apply a second application. By now you should have some what of an idea on how to paint window trim. Practice makes perfect so the more trim you paint the better you will get.
Each coat you apply will make your work look that much better, just make sure you did a good prepping job scraping, sanding, filling cracks, holes and puttying.
Applying a stain or clear coat requires the same process as brushing on a paint. Semi transparent stains may need wiping, be sure to follow label instructions.
Exterior window frames and trim can be sprayed with a paint sprayer, but to do so, sprayer operation, wind conditions, and over spray among other things need to be taken into consideration. If your not familiar with a paint sprayer it might be best to stick with a brush to first learn how to paint window trim.
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