Repainting wooden windows, doors and joinery

Refer to the PDF flowchart for a visual of the steps below:

1. Treat moss and mould using Resene Moss & Mould Killer (D80).

2. Thoroughly wash and scrub using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash (D812) and a Scotchbrite pad (or similar).

3. Sand any flaking paint and the inside facings of the window and frame.

4. Remove or strip any perished or unstable paint. Condition stripped areas with Resene TimberLock (D48).

5. Spot prime using Resene Quick Dry (D45) primer or Resene Wood Primer (D40).

6. Replace any putty using a quality synthetic putty. Fill any nail holes etc. Spot prime putty using Resene Wood Primer or Resene Quick Dry Primer after allowing time for the putty to cure.

7. Topcoat:

   1. Apply 2 coats of Resene Lustacryl (D310) semi-gloss waterborne enamel, standard or CoolColour (D310C).

   2. Or for a high gloss finish apply 2 coats of Resene Enamacryl (D309) waterborne gloss, standard or CoolColour (D309C).

   3. Alternatively for a traditional oil-based finish apply 1 coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat (D44) followed by 1-2 coats of Resene Super Gloss Enamel (D32) or Resene Waterborne Super Gloss, standard or CoolColour.

Notes:

1. The best way to wash and prepare windows is to use Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and a 3M scourer or Scotchbrite pad which is effective at moulding to and reaching edges and recesses of windows.

2. Hack out and replace putty that has dried out and come loose. Replace with a quality synthetic putty. Traditional Linseed oil-based putties are very slow drying and require a full oil based system to be applied. This is impractical in many situations. Refer to the label instructions of the selected putty for their recommended system.

3. Sand the inside faces to ‘de-gloss’ them. Old enamel paint not exposed to U.V. light (the inside faces of windows and frames in particular) gets harder and more brittle over time. Thoroughly sand before painting. Wash the exposed faces to ‘de-chalk’ them if the paintwork is sound.

4. Paint the top, internal and bottom faces of the window.

5. In the same way that our nose will get sunburnt faster than our cheeks, substrates that are exposed at a 45 degree angle to the sun are subject to twice the level of U.V. attack of a vertical or horizontal surface. This is why the top edge of a windowsill will deteriorate faster than other painted surfaces.

6. We recommend Resene Lustacryl as its lower semi-gloss finish conceals imperfections more effectively than the higher gloss of Resene Enamacryl.

7. Traditional enamels including Resene Super Gloss have comparatively poor durability when compared to modern acrylics and acrylic enamels, however their gloss level is higher, and they will dry to a mirror like finish (see also our project sheet on Painting front doors).

8. Resene Waterborne Super Gloss is a comparatively new technology and mirrors the performance of traditional enamels using a waterborne rather than solventborne alkyd resin. Waterborne alkyds are arguably the most sustainable technology of the available products. As the market progress more bases and colour options will be made available.

9. Consider using a Resene CoolColour to minimise heat retention if selecting a dark colour. CoolColours have also demonstrated improved durability over standard formulations. Look for the cc next to the colour name on colour charts for CoolColour options.

Key accessories

• Resene Moss & Mould Killer
• Resene Paint Prep and Housewash
• Scotchbrite or scourer pad (as shown above)
• A good quality brush is recommended o 35mm or 50mm Legend Cutting-in brush or Basil Hybrid Brush cutting-in brush
• Contract filler for any cracks or nail heads
• 100-120 grit zinc stearate sandpapers for preparing and 180-220 grit sandpaper for sanding fillers etc. 400 grit Wet and Dry for final de-nibbing before applying high gloss finishes.
• Paint pot to decant into (useful when using 500ml or 1 and 4 litre cans)
• Quality synthetic putty and putty knife if required.
• Scraper and spare blades to remove excess dry paint from window.

Add ons

• Drop sheets
• Resene Hot Weather Additive for hot dry conditions
• Resene Galvo-One (D41) for spot priming Galvanised Iron flashings
• Turps for Resene TimberLock, Resene Galvo-One or Resene Wood Primer if needed
• Painter’s gloves (good for sanding and painting)
• Resene MoulDefender for extra protection against mould, waterborne paints only.

If applying in cooler conditions (under 10 degrees), add Resene Wintergrade Additive to Resene Summit Roof (D315S) to enable it to dry down to three degrees. Or if light rain showers are predicted, consider using Resene Umbrella Additive.

Note: Do not use Resene Wintergrade Additive and Resene Umbrella Additive in the same product. If needed, use one or the other, but not both.

Return to index