Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Aluminum clad cleaning or refinishing

I am a homeowner who does his own maintenance and repair as well as remodeling. I have Pella aluminum clad doors that are old but in good working order, but the finish on the cladding is very dirty and faded. Is there a method for cleaning and/or painting aluminum clad patio doors that will restore them to an almost new condition?

Ray Johnston
hobbyist - Bethesda, Maryland, USA
2004

I had a piece of aluminum cladding which is old & dirty, and I had over scrub it until the color turn white, is there any type of coating or paint that I can paint it and make it the same as the rest.

Ker Jasiline
- Singapore
2004

I have Pella aluminum clad doors in a brown finish which faded quickly on areas of the house that are exposed to direct sun. I was told by Pella that car wax [on eBay or Amazon] will bring them back like new. I haven't tried it but it sounds reasonable.

M Carr
- Orlando
November 12, 2008

I had Pella aluminum cladding repainted at an auto body shop. They did a good job, match is very good and it looks original. If you are diy you'd need to have and be good with a spray gun. You'd have trouble getting a decent match (if you care about the color) from a spray can and the finish wouldn't be as good.

JC Smith
- Walnut Creek, California, USA
November 13, 2008