Is it possible to paint plastic windows at home

Plastic windows are reliable and durable, they protect the house from street noise and adverse weather factors. A common color option for products is white. This is a classic decor that matches most interior designs. The profile may turn yellow over time. Having studied the rules of painting with a plastic structure, you can paint PVC windows yourself.

Reasons for painting window structures

During operation, defects appear on the surface of the profile - yellow spots, scratches and abrasions. The reason for negative changes is sunlight, low quality of polyvinyl chloride, the use of products with abrasive particles in the care.

Also, the need for painting arises when changing the architecture of the facade or interior of the room, the desire to make the apartment original, to give it an individual look with the help of bright accents.

Features and conditions for painting plastic windows

You can change the color of the window profile by laminating (gluing a special film) and painting. The surface of PVC frames is characterized by smoothness, high density and low adhesion. Not every paint fits on this material.

On the construction market there are special compounds for plastic, produced in the form of enamels, varnish or aerosol cans. Basic requirements for the coloring composition:

• resistance to UV radiation, moisture, temperature fluctuations;
• viscosity level - the paint should lay down evenly, not spread;
• drying speed - modern formulations set in 5-10 hours;
• absence of harmful components and pungent odor.

For interior work, the best option is a water-based paint that does not have toxic emissions and odor. Such a product is also suitable for external coloring, but the ambient temperature must be taken into account. It should not be lower than 15 ° C, otherwise a durable coating will not form.

You can apply the coloring composition with a brush or spray gun. The second option is preferable, it provides a fine and uniform distribution of the composition. Recommended nozzle size 1.5-1.8 mm, pressure 2 atmospheres. The optimum temperature for work is 20-22 ° C, the minimum redistribution is 18 ° C. The air humidity is 50-60%. In such conditions, the coating dries quickly, dust particles do not have time to get on it.

Preparatory work

Painting work begins with surface preparation. The best option would be to remove the leaves from the hinges and paint in a horizontal position. If the dismantling and installation procedure is difficult, then it is better to refuse it. Before painting old plastic windows, it is necessary to remove curtains, mosquito nets and other items that will interfere with the work.

1. The surface must be cleaned and degreased. The protective film is removed from the new profiles. The frames can be washed with a sponge and soapy water or a special PVC degreaser can be used. The cleaner removes traces of film, sealant, dust and grease stains.It is applied to lint-free cloths and wiped off the plastic. In addition to removing dirt, it works as an antistatic agent.
2. The glossy coating is slippery, therefore, to improve adhesion, it is treated with fine-grain sandpaper. This is a recommendation, not a mandatory procedure. The grain of the paper is no more than 180. Grinding provides improved adhesion of the surface and paintwork material. After processing, a lot of dust appears, which is removed with water and a sponge.
   
3. When working from inside the room, handles and other accessories are removed. If the sashes are removed, they are taken to a separate room for painting. The frames are placed horizontally on stands. It should be noted that they will take up space for about a day, because the painting occurs on both sides in turn.
4. If the application of paintwork materials will take place on site, it is necessary to seal the seals with masking tape, the glass is protected with plastic wrap or cardboard. Also, the slopes and the window sill are covered from paint.
5. The entire surface is primed. For plastic, special compounds are used. An alkyd primer helps to hide minor imperfections and improves the adhesion of plastic and paint. Acrylic primer is the most common option. The composition is suitable for treating the outer part of the window, it is resistant to frost and temperature extremes. The primer is applied with a brush or spray, it should be applied in a thin layer. The staining is started after the composition has completely dried.

Before starting the main work, if necessary, the paint is tinted by adding the selected pigment. The entire volume is prepared at once, later it will be difficult to choose a similar shade. It is advisable to strain the paint and varnish material.

At high viscosity paintwork materials are diluted with water. It is recommended to take hot liquid with a temperature of 45-50 ° C. The density indicator is especially relevant when using a spray gun. The viscosity is changed by 3-5%.

Required tools and materials

Application of paintwork materials with a spray gun is much more efficient and faster than working with a brush. The tool provides an even coating of the surface. Lint stripes remain on the windows when using a brush.

• brush with natural or artificial flat bristles;
• spray gun;
• sandpaper;
• masking tape;
• plastic spatula;
• personal protective equipment.

You also need to buy plastic wrap to protect the glass if the painting will be done with a spray gun. When preparing the substrate, you will need a PVC cleaner and a primer.

Selection of paint for plastic windows

Paints and varnishes (LKM) used for wood are not suitable as a PVC profile coating. When choosing a product, it is important to pay attention to the presence of a special marking "for plastic".

Polyurethane and acrylic

A suitable option would be acrylic or polyurethane-acrylic compositions on a water-dispersed basis. They are moisture resistant, durable, retain the color of the coating for a long time, do not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. The components of acrylic paints and varnishes are polymer dispersions, a binder and a pigment. The water-dispersion mixture is environmentally friendly, odorless and quickly forms a stable film.

Polyurethane paints and varnishes have strength, weather resistance, high decorative effect. The coating lasts 10 years, does not lose brightness. According to the degree of gloss, it is matte and glossy. Acrylic paint for PVC windows in most cases is available in a basic white color, allowing you to tint with the desired shade of pigment. Before buying, you should make sure that there is no acetone in the paintwork. This substance can damage the surface of the PVC profile.

Aerosols

Automotive spray paint for plastic windows is the best choice for a small amount of work.Special spray cans spray the composition evenly, are easy to use. The remains of the material are stored for a long time and do not deteriorate, they are used when minor repairs are necessary. There are several types of paintwork materials in aerosols:

• Polymer paints have a high level of adhesion and do not require a primer.
• Compounds with acrylic and polyurethane components form a durable coating that is resistant to weather and mechanical stress.
• Monad enamels - designed to work with PVC plastic, they are distinguished by good adhesion to the base and UV resistance. A primer is required before applying the coloring composition.

Inexperienced craftsmen spray a lot of spray paint in one place, creating drips. It is recommended to pre-practice on an unnecessary object to adjust the direction and strength of the flow. When painting the outer part of the window, dry and calm weather is chosen for work.

Powder paint

One of the ways to decorate plastic windows is to apply powder paint. It gives a long-lasting and long-lasting finish, but the method itself is difficult to do at home. An electrical discharge action is required.

Popular product options:

• PaliPlast Rp - polyurethane acrylic white base for tinting of Belarusian production. It is water-repellent, wear-resistant, and has a service life of more than 7 years. Drying time 10 hours.
• Feyco Treffert - Swiss professional PVC dyes. They are economical, applied in one layer of 80-120 microns. To a state of no dust adhesion, the surface dries in 5 minutes, complete hardening in 12 hours. Compositions are glossy, matte, with a metallic effect. Manufacturers offer tinting in thousands of shades.
• Zowo-Plast is a water-borne paint for indoor and outdoor use. It is resistant to scratches, moisture, and cleaners. The composition has excellent adhesion, hiding power, dries quickly.

For additional protection and a glossy finish, it is recommended to apply PVC varnish. The acrylic and polyurethane based product is applied under the same conditions as the paint. At room temperature, a protective film forms in 8-10 hours.

DIY PVC window painting technology

The plastic profile is painted in several ways, depending on the option chosen, the nuances of the technology change.

Features of painting with a spray gun

Professional painters use spray guns in their work, which provide quick and economical application of the coloring composition. With the help of the tool, an even coating without drips is created on vertical and horizontal surfaces. At home, household electric spray guns are used. Before pouring into the tank, the viscosity of the paint should be checked, especially if it has been stored for some time after opening. The composition should not be thick or lumpy. It needs to be diluted and filtered.

When painting with a spray gun, it is necessary to protect the respiratory organs with a respirator, eyes with special glasses, and hands with gloves. All parts of the device must be pre-washed and dried. The tool is held at a right angle to the PVC profile at a distance of 15-20 cm. If these rules are observed, the staining spot is 80%.

Operating procedure:

1. The prepared paint is poured into the tank.
2. A test stain is carried out on the cardboard to evaluate and, if necessary, adjust the intensity of the ink supply. A beginner should practice using the equipment a little.
3. Decorating starts from any part, the movement is smooth. If the recommended parameters are observed (nozzle 1.5-1.8 mm, pressure 2 atm.), A uniform coating is obtained in one layer. But for reliability, after the composition has dried, they are passed again.
4. The remaining paint from the reservoir is poured into a jar. The instrument is washed with solvent.
5. Remove the masking tape and film that protects the glass and the area around the window.

In the room where the painting takes place, drafts are unacceptable. The spray gun is turned on and off outside the window to be decorated. Do not change the angle of the instrument, otherwise the paint will lie unevenly.

Paint application with a brush

Brush painting technology is a common option that has some drawbacks. The layer of the coloring composition is thicker than when spraying, therefore it takes more time to dry. During this period, the window must be protected from dust. Contamination will result in a poor quality coating with a short lifespan. For work, it is recommended to use a cuvette - a plastic tray for paint. The composition is poured into it in portions, there is a place for wringing out the brush.

• The paint is applied from the corner, on the horizontal surface the strokes are applied from right to left, on the vertical - up and down.
• The brush is dipped on a third of the pile, pressed firmly against the surface to reduce the layer of paint.
• Usually it is enough to apply one layer of paint and varnish material, but if there is a putty, it is better to make a two-layer coating.

Instead of a brush, a woolen roller is suitable, the length of which is equal to the width of the profile. It distributes paint well over the surface, absorbs little, so the consumption of the composition is minimal. The joints of the profiles are painted over with a thin brush.

Painting a window with an aerosol can

An aerosol can of paint does not require additional tools, only the preparation of the base is needed. The manufacturer indicates the features of its use on the packaging. Window painting sequence:

1. Shake the can vigorously for 30 seconds.
2. Spray the composition at a distance of 20-30 cm from the profile.
3. Apply the coating evenly, do not linger in one place, so that drips do not appear.
4. Apply the paint in two layers, the second is sprayed after 25-30 minutes, after the first has dried. A third layer is allowed if necessary.
5. A water-based acrylic varnish is applied to fix and protect the coating. The final drying time is 2-2.5 hours.

Spray paints are the best option to quickly renew the surface of plastic windows. The disadvantage of this method is the high cost of paints and varnishes.