Old aluminum windows need help
#1
10-24-17, 06:07 AM
Old aluminum windows need help
Frames on my aluminum wimdows (circa 1956) need cleaning. They have some paint overspray on them also. New windows are not an option right now. Any suggestions for cleaning them up a bit? Is it possible to get the paint off?
#2
10-24-17, 06:40 AM
Have a 1956 house that came with 13 of those heavy duty aluminum windows. The heating and air conditioning heat loss on them was tremendous. Weather stripping with felt surface had hardened making for poor seal and difficult to remove screens, etc..
Replaced them with modern plastic framed, double pane windows. Many benefits - lower air conditioning and heating costs, less air leakage, more comfortable home, windows do not fog up with condensate, easier to clean, etc.
Should have replaced them years ago. HomeDepot replacement windows were very utilitarian and ugly. Bought them at Lowes. Make sure to use no-expansive pressure foam to avoid bending frames.
Replaced them with modern plastic framed, double pane windows. Many benefits - lower air conditioning and heating costs, less air leakage, more comfortable home, windows do not fog up with condensate, easier to clean, etc.
Should have replaced them years ago. HomeDepot replacement windows were very utilitarian and ugly. Bought them at Lowes. Make sure to use no-expansive pressure foam to avoid bending frames.
Last edited by doughess; 10-24-17 at 07:36 AM.
#3
10-24-17, 08:36 AM
Group Moderator
I would clean the glass. A single edged razor blade will make quick work of paint overspray on the glass. Getting paint off the frame can be much more difficult. If your lucky enough that it's an oil based paint then a strong solvent like MEK or Lacquer thinner might get it off but it it water based latex physically scraping it off is about the only way. The downside of scraping is that it will mark the aluminum underneath unless you are very careful. So you may do more harm than good by trying to remove the paint. Try it on a back or side window first to see if you like the appearance before doing the windows on the front side of the house.
