Does spraying windows upvc work – Detailed Guide
UPVC windows are very common in the UK, as the material, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, is one of the most popular polymers in the country, especially in construction. The material is inexpensive, reliable, and can be painted relatively easily. This allows homeowners to reimagine their uPVC windows and uPVC doors, and with a little planning and some uPVC spraying, they can completely redecorate the outside of their home.
When painting uPVC windows (by this i mean the frames not painting the glass like our previous post), there are a few methods that can be used. But the best way to paint uPVC windows is spray painting. Using the correct, solvent-based uPVC paint and a spray gun on uPVC window frames and uPVC doors is the technique used by most professionals, and for good reason.
Is spray painting uPVC windows worth it?
Spray painting uPVC windows has a range of benefits. It can increase the kerb appeal of a home, and provides a protective layer against the elements and the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. This keeps the material safe and helps to ensure that it lasts longer.
Why spray paint uPVC windows and not use a brush?
Spray painting uPVC windows is typically the method that professionals will use, and there are a few reasons why. First and foremost, spraying uPVC windows is much more cost-effective than using a roller or a paintbrush. It is much quicker, too, and uPVC spraying tends to create a smooth finish unlike that created by paint brushes and rollers.
Using paint brushes and rollers to paint uPVC windows will result in brush marks, drip marks and even brush hairs stuck in the paint. This will ruin the finish on your uPVC windows and doors, whereas uPVC spray painting allows a smooth, gentle application of uPVC paint.
How long will uPVC spraying last?
According to Sketch Spray the length of time uPVC spray painting will last on the uPVC window frames will depend on a few factors. First of all, it will depend on how well the uPVC windows are cleaned and prepared prior to the uPVC spraying. On top of that, the longevity of the paint job will also depend on the quality of the paint used on the uPVC window frames. If the wrong paint is used for uPVC spraying, the paint job on the uPVC door or uPVC window will not last anywhere near as long.
For a good quality, professional job, i.e., done as part of a uPVC spraying service, property owners can expect their uPVC spraying to last up to around 10 years. However, for amateur or poorly done uPVC spray painting, this could be as short as 6 to 12 months.
How to spray paint uPVC windows and doors?
If you are set on doing your uPVC spraying yourself, it is important that you know what you are doing. There are 4 steps to uPVC spraying; so long as each of them is followed carefully, you should achieve a smooth finish.
1. Prepare the uPVC windows
The first thing you need to do before you start uPVC spraying is to prepare the plastic surfaces. This comes in two parts. The first step in preparation is cleaning the uPVC with hot soapy water and a wet cloth. You will need to wipe down the uPVC frames and uPVC doors to ensure that there is no grime, dust or debris on them.
Once clean, you will then need to fill any holes in your uPVC windows before you can begin spray painting. You can fill holes in your uPVC door or window frames with caulk or filler. Leave the filler to dry, and then return and sandpaper the material down until it is a smooth surface ready for uPVC painting.
2. Cover the surrounding areas
Once your uPVC is clean, you will need to cover the surrounding brickwork and glass. You can do this with masking tape and masking paper, and it will help to ensure that your home’s kerb appeal is boosted and not damaged by specks of paint on the windows and bricks.
3. Primer
Not every paint will require this, so it is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions first before beginning to apply primer. If the paint does require primer, you should apply it in long strokes that are all going in the same direction. Once you have covered the uPVC windows with the first coat, leave them until the primer is completely dry, and then go in for another coat.
For those looking to go from a dark colour to a light colour, i.e., from black uPVC windows to a white or gray uPVC, you will require more coats of primer.
4. Spray paint uPVC windows
Once all of those steps are done and the primer is properly dry, you can begin to get your windows sprayed. To spray uPVC, follow the instructions on either your canister of paint or on the instructions for your sprayer. Use long, smooth strokes and ensure you cover the entire surface. Once a base coat is done, leave it to dry, and return for another coat afterward.
After each coat, ensure that you leave the paint to dry fully before beginning the next. In my experience, paint can often be a different color when wet versus when dry, so it is important to see the dry paint in order to establish how much deeper you want the color to be.
Once you have reached the colour you are after, you might want to consider adding a specialist coating onto your new uPVC windows, but this is not an essential part of spraying uPVC.
If you are concerned that you won’t be able to get a quality finish, then it is worth paying for a professional painter to come and do an excellent job for you. They will usually offer a great price and provide you with a professional finish throughout the whole house, on your doors and windows and even garage doors.
FAQs – Spraying Windows UPVC
Summary
In our exploration of home improvement solutions, uPVC window spraying emerges as a game-changer. A popular material choice in the UK, uPVC offers a reliable and cost-effective option for homeowners. Spray painting uPVC windows and doors is a method favoured by professionals due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and superior finish. Unlike brush painting, spray painting ensures a smooth application without unwanted marks and provides a protective layer against weather elements and UV radiation.