How to paint wooden window frames correctly

Decorative finishing of windows is an important touch in the overall architectural appearance of the house. Correctly chosen shade and accurate painting bring back the attractiveness of even old frames. You can do the repair yourself, the main thing is to study the sequence of work and choose the paint correctly.

Varieties and characteristics of paints for wooden windows

The paintwork protects the frames from moisture and makes the window look attractive. It serves for several years, then the decorative characteristics are reduced, repair is required. Among the large assortment of paints and varnishes (LKM), there are products designed for wooden surfaces.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane coloring compositions are based on polyols (polyurethane resins). Reacted with a hardener, they form a strong film that is resistant to water, frost, and temperature extremes. The universal composition is recommended for outdoor and indoor use. One and two-component polyurethane paints are available.

Advantages:

• wear resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• not affected by aggressive environment;
• does not release toxins;
• UV resistant.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• poor vapor permeability.

LKM dries quickly, does not have an unpleasant odor, therefore it is used for interior work. The paint is more expensive than analogues, but surpasses them in resistance and durability.

Alkyd

Products based on organic solvent include alkyd or glyphthal varnish, fillers (marble and granite chips, crushed quartz), coloring pigments. The compositions for wooden bases include an antiseptic.

Advantages:

• excellent adhesion;
• fast drying;
• moisture resistance;
• ease of application;
• affordable cost.

Disadvantages:

• Strong smell;
• low vapor permeability.

Alkyd paints and varnishes are especially popular due to their long service life and decorative appeal. Because of the pungent smell, they are best used for frames from the street side.

Acrylic water-dispersed

Water-based colorants are the most environmentally friendly. Chalk, marble chips, talc are used as filling to give a thick consistency. The water dispersion particles penetrate deeply into the wood, creating a durable finish. Good vapor permeability of the film allows the wood to get rid of excess moisture. Once dry, the surface is moisture resistant and easy to maintain.

Advantages:

• environmental friendliness;
• fire safety;
• lack of smell and toxic components;
• elastic coating;
• does not fade and does not turn yellow;
• resistant to temperature changes.

Disadvantage: sensitive to drying conditions, requires medium humidity and temperature.

Acrylic paint for wooden windows is a versatile option. It is economically consumed, can be applied in any convenient way, even on an old coating.

Oil based

Oil-based colorants are absorbed into the fibrous structure of the wood, providing reliable protection against moisture. The surface forms a durable waterproof coating that resists low temperatures and abrasion. The base of the oil paint is natural or synthetic drying oil. It contains organic and inorganic pigments, mineral flour. Fillers often settle to the bottom, so the paint is mixed before painting.

Advantages:

• fits well on windows;
• resistant to moisture;
• low cost;
• wide range of colors.

Disadvantages:

• long drying time;
• unpleasant odor;
• weak vapor permeability.

When working with oil paints, an allergic reaction in the form of dizziness and nausea may appear. The use of a respirator is recommended.

Paint selection rules and basic requirements

Paints and varnishes differ not only in color, but also in characteristics. When buying, take into account:

• features of the window surface;
• compatibility of the composition with the old coating;
• the need for preliminary preparation of a wooden base (putty, primer);
• planned number of layers.

The cost of paint is always a significant argument for choice, but you should not be guided only by it. First of all, they study whether the coloring composition meets the basic requirements:

• Moisture resistance - the characteristic is especially important if the windows need to be painted outside. The decorative layer must have a water-repellent effect, they are not afraid of contact with precipitation.
• Elasticity - wood expands under the influence of external factors, so the coating should not crack.
• The presence of odor is a factor that is paid attention to when buying paintwork inside an apartment. Chemical fumes in the room cause headaches, so it is better to choose a water-based formulation.
• Fade resistance - exposure to ultraviolet radiation can quickly change the original color of the coating, so that this does not happen, choose formulations with special components that increase resistance to sunlight.
• Durability - How soon the frame will have to be repainted depends on the life of the material. High-quality paints retain their qualities for up to 10 years.
• Drying time - depending on the composition, the coating dries from a couple of hours to 1-2 days.

The consumption of the paint and varnish composition also matters, the manufacturer indicates this parameter when labeling products.

Features of the use of paint depend on its type. The characteristics of the composition determine the degree of preparation of the base, the optimal indicators of temperature and humidity, the use of personal protective equipment.

Required tools and materials

Do-it-yourself painting of window frames requires the preparation of the following tools:

• putty knife;
• sandpaper;
• Sander;
• brushes of various sizes, roller, spray gun;
• screwdriver (for removing accessories);
• container (cuvette) for paint.

In addition to the selected coloring composition, you will need:

• masking tape;
• putty;
• solvent for paintwork materials;
• antiseptic solution.

The set of tools and materials depends on the condition of the windows and the old coating. To apply paintwork materials, brushes or a spray gun are most often used. The second option provides a more uniform coverage, it is easier and faster to work with it. The disadvantages include the need to protect the glasses, they are completely sealed. When using a brush, cover only the part of the glass adjacent to the frame.

Preparatory work

Before painting wooden windows, prepare the surface. First of all, remove the handles and latches. The fittings should not interfere with the painting process. Next, they begin to remove the old paint.If it is partially worn out, then it is enough to sand the surface with sandpaper to level the base. Cracked and peeling paint is cleaned completely in one of the following ways:

1. Heating - hot air of a building hair dryer is directed to the coating so that it swells, then cleaned with a spatula.
2. Rinse - special compositions for dissolving paintwork materials are applied to the frames, after a chemical reaction, the paint easily comes off.
3. Removal with a metal scraper (brush) - the process requires physical effort, after brushing the base is cleaned with sandpaper.

During preparation, the condition of the frames is inspected, cracks and cracks are covered with wood putty. After the layer has dried, sanding is performed. Old glazing beads are removed, new elements are installed at the end of the painting. The surface of the window is cleaned of dust and covered with an antiseptic primer in two layers. The impregnation will prevent wood from swelling, mildew and mildew. The primer improves the adhesion of paint to wood and reduces its consumption. A brush is used to apply the solution. The final stage of preparation is gluing glass and hinges with masking tape.

The process of painting wooden windows with your own hands

After sanding and priming, the surface becomes smooth, it is an ideal base for coating with a coloring composition. Before the start of painting, wet cleaning is carried out in the room, removing all debris and dust after preparing the frames.

Recommended working conditions

In order for the paint on the windows to dry evenly, a warm day without a bright sun is chosen for painting. The optimum air temperature is from 5 to 27 ° C. Humidity should be 50-60%, for compositions on a water-dispersed basis, the indicator increases to 80%. It is important that the wood itself is dry, otherwise the coating will swell.

To paint wooden window frames correctly, you need to follow the instructions:

• The paint is stirred in a jar, part of it is poured into a ditch. The composition for the first layer is diluted with a solvent or white spirit. It should be watery so that it absorbs better into the wood. Coloring starts from the outside of the window.
• For the second layer, which is applied after the first one has completely dried, the paint is not diluted, but it is recommended to strain it through a sieve. On vertical surfaces, it is applied from top to bottom, on horizontal surfaces - with short strokes to the right and left. The brush is dipped not completely, but up to half of the bristle. For hard-to-reach places, narrow brushes are used, for a flat surface - wide ones. The composition is well smeared, drips are immediately removed.
• After painting all surfaces, remove the masking tape. This is done before the paint dries so as not to damage the coating.
• The removed elements are attached to the dried frames, new glazing beads are nailed, which are pre-painted with the same composition.

Renewal of the old coating with a similar paint is carried out in one layer. If the color of the frames changes, 2 layers are applied for painting. After completely removing the old coating or when working on a new wooden window, up to three coats of paintwork may be required.

Paint manufacturers

Among the many brands presented, paints from European manufacturers are in demand. They are superior to domestic products in quality, but they are more expensive.

Tikkurila

Finnish brand Tikkurila paints and varnishes for 150 years of sales have earned recognition from consumers. The range of the brand includes products for various purposes and types of surfaces. Coloring compositions for windows and doors are offered in various gloss levels, with the addition of special protective components.

• Empire - semi-matt, alkyd, for interior use. Easy to apply to the surface, does not spread.
• Helmi is an acrylate compound for primary and repair painting of wooden surfaces. Semi-matte, does not turn yellow.
• Unica Akva is a semi-gloss acrylate paint, universal. The product is weatherproof, does not fade in the sun.

For painting wooden windows and doors, Tikkurila offers water-dispersed compositions and alkyd enamels. Many types of paint are versatile.

Caparol

The quality of Caparol products is known all over the world. Its paints and varnishes are safe, resistant to atmospheric factors, and retain the attractiveness of the painted surface for a long time.

• Capadur - the composition is diluted with water, elastic, has components that protect wood from fungus. The paint is easy to use, odorless.
• Amphibolin is an acrylate, silky matt paint with increased resistance to moisture. It is designed for interior and exterior use.

For painting windows, the company offers products based on alkyd resins and water-soluble glazing compounds.

Dufa

In the catalog of the German trade mark Dufa primers, enamels, paints and varnishes of excellent quality. Eco-friendly formulations are recommended for use in residential areas, preschools and hospitals. Paintwork materials create a wear-resistant coating that is not afraid of moisture, exposure to household chemicals, ultraviolet radiation.

• Aqua-Finsterlack is a water-based enamel for windows and doors. It is safe for human health, easy to apply and dries quickly.
• Fensterlack - enamel for windows with an increased whiteness of the coating. Creates a moisture-resistant film, elastic and vapor-permeable coating.

The brand's paints and varnishes belong to the middle price category, another plus is the low consumption of material.

Wooden windows keep the home warm and cozy. In order for them to serve for a long time, while maintaining decorative attractiveness, high-quality coloring is necessary. You can make repairs yourself, reliable compositions from popular brands will help create a stylish interior.