Transforming Federation & Colonial-Style Aluminium Windows from Cream to Modern Gloss Black

Masking Up for a Game-Changing Upgrade on the Gold Coast

There’s a certain charm to traditional Federation and colonial-style homes — the gabled roofs, decorative trims, and multi-panel windows with intricate bars and mouldings. But what often dates these beautiful homes isn’t the architecture — it’s the old cream aluminium window frames.

And on the Gold Coast, we’re seeing more and more homeowners take the leap to modernise their homes by repainting these dated windows in gloss black — a colour that transforms not only the frames, but the entire look and feel of the property.

This post showcases one of those transformations — a real job, here in Mudgeeraba, where our team was called in to bring a tired Federation-style home into the modern era. The video we’re sharing today captures the moment we began the prep — carefully masking up the detailed, multi-panelled windows to prepare them for spray painting in a rich gloss black finish.

It’s more than a colour change — it’s a full visual reset.

Let’s break down the job, the prep, the results, and why this type of aluminium window repaint is one of the smartest upgrades you can make to your Gold Coast home in 2025.

???? The Challenge with Federation & Colonial Aluminium Windows

The original aluminium frames on these homes are typically:

Powder-coated in Primrose or similar cream/beige tones Fitted with fixed grilles or decorative bars Set into brick or render, with tight tolerances Installed in the 80s, 90s or early 2000s Still mechanically sound — but visually dated

The problem isn’t function. These windows still open and close perfectly. They’re structurally fine. But visually?

They’re stuck in the past.

Cream window frames:

Wash out the contrast on red brick homes Make newer exterior colours (like Monument or Surfmist) look mismatched Highlight wear, chalking, and oxidisation more easily Are hard to pair with modern garage doors, roofing, and fences

This Mudgeeraba home had exactly that issue — it had recently been repainted in greys and whites, had a modern Colorbond roof and fence, but the window frames looked out of place.

???? Why Gloss Black?

Choosing gloss black for this job wasn’t just about trend — it was about consistency and contrast.

Here’s why gloss black works so well for colonial-style windows:

It frames the glass sharply, giving depth and structure Highlights the colonial gridlines without making them busy Ties in with newer garage doors, fencing, and roofing Matches Colorbond Monument and other modern shades perfectly Doesn’t show dirt or marks as easily as lighter colours Creates a sleek, timeless look that fits both classic and contemporary styles

The result?

A home that still feels true to its Federation character, but completely reimagined for today’s standards.

????️ Our Video: Masking Up — The RepaintPro Way

Before any spraying begins, prep is king — and the video we’re sharing here is a perfect example.

We show the team:

Carefully masking up the window frames Covering surrounding walls and bricks Using high-quality green masking tape and static cling film Isolating each pane and bar for precision spraying Working around colonial grilles without damaging or bending them

This level of care is what separates us from DIY jobs or shortcut painters.

If masking isn’t perfect, the results won’t be either. Overspray, ragged edges, or under-prepped surfaces lead to peeling, cracking, or an unprofessional finish.

That’s why RepaintPro uses:

Indasa/3M tape systems Professional sheeting Fine detailing around beading and mullions A consistent taping method tailored for intricate designs

Even just the taping process shows clients how serious we are about quality. And when the tape comes off? That crisp edge says it all.

???? The Repainting Process — Step by Step

To transform these Federation aluminium windows from cream to gloss black, we followed the full RepaintPro spraying process — the same one we’ve refined over years and hundreds of jobs across the Gold Coast.

Here’s what it looked like on this home in Mudgeeraba:

1. Full Degrease + Clean

Using wax and grease remover, we wiped down every surface to strip:

Airborne oils Bug sprays or window cleaner residue Dust and dirt UV breakdown on the old powder coating

We never just spray over what’s there — we start fresh.

2. Sanding + Keying the Surface

We mechanically abraded:

All frame surfaces Internal bars and trims Colonial gridlines

This ensures the primer adheres deeply and the paint won’t flake.

It’s the most time-consuming part — and the one step most other painters skip.

3. Masking (as shown in the video)

Every surface not being painted is protected. That includes:

Brick/render surrounds Glass (with razor-cleaned edges) Internal reveals Curtains or blinds (taped up or removed)

This job had decorative bars inside each window pane, which we masked with surgical precision.

4. Priming with LSE-Compatible Primer

We use Norglass All Surface Primer, which bonds to:

Aged powder coat Anodised aluminium Bare metal

This sets the foundation for maximum adhesion — and no peeling.

5. HVLP Spraying in Gloss Black

Using high-volume low-pressure spray systems, we applied:

2–4 top coats of gloss black enamel Careful directional passes to hit all angles of the grid Sufficient film build for long-term durability Fine finish without drips, fogging, or orange peel

Our spray fans are adjusted for detail — not coverage alone.

6. Drying + Tape Removal

Once cured, we remove the masking tape — slowly, steadily, and with great care.

This moment is where the magic happens. You get to see:

The clean divide between the black frame and glass The contrast against surrounding finishes The full effect of the transformation

It’s not just a paint job — it’s a reframe of the entire home.

???? Addressing Common Concerns from Homeowners

We often hear the same questions when clients are considering repainting old aluminium colonial windows:

❓ “Will the paint peel off?”

No — not with our process.

Peeling happens when painters skip:

Sanding Priming Proper cleaning

We follow every step. And we back it with a 6-year workmanship warranty.

❓ “Can you get into the corners and tight bars?”

Yes. We use:

Detailed spray patterns Fine-angle nozzle tips Controlled air pressure

We don’t just spray the front — we spray into the grid and behind the bars.

❓ “Do I have to replace the windows instead?”

Not at all.

Repainting saves:

Thousands of dollars Weeks of disruption The hassle of ripping out internal plaster or bricks

We repaint in place, within days — no mess, no construction, no new hardware needed.

???? Where We Do This Work

RepaintPro provides aluminium window painting across the entire Gold Coast, including:

Mudgeeraba Robina Reedy Creek Bonogin Southport Ashmore Benowa Mermaid Waters Broadbeach Palm Beach Currumbin Varsity Lakes Coomera Helensvale Hope Island Clear Island Waters Burleigh Heads Tugun Pacific Pines Tallai Worongary Nerang Upper Coomera Paradise Point

If your home has Federation or colonial-style windows anywhere across these suburbs, we’ve likely sprayed windows just like yours.

???? Federation Upgrades: Window Colour is Just the Start

Once the windows are gloss black, many homeowners go on to update:

Gutters and fascias (to Monument or Night Sky) Garage doors to match Aluminium fences or side gates Entry frames and sliding doors Security screens and flyscreens

And yes — we paint all of those too, using the same method.

The result is a complete exterior refresh without replacing a thing.

???? See the Video: Masking Up in Action

Want to see the quality of our prep work?

???? Check out our short video showing the RepaintPro team masking up colonial-style aluminium windows on this real job in Mudgeeraba.

No filters, no flashy music — just the real process.

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✅ Why RepaintPro?

4 Generations of Gold Coast painting experience Fully licensed with the QBCC Specialised in aluminium window spraying Experts in Federation and colonial frame prep Mobile spraying setup — fast and clean Top-tier primers and finishes Jobs completed within 1–3 days Servicing residential and commercial clients

You only get one chance to spray a frame the right way. And we get it right every time.

???? Ready to Modernise Your Colonial Frames?

If you’ve been thinking about painting your old cream aluminium windows — now is the time.

Send us:

Photos of your windows Your location Whether they’re colonial-style, Federation, or standard Whether you want flyscreens or security screens included

We’ll reply with a fast, accurate quote.

You don’t need to rip out or replace.

You just need the right prep, the right team, and the right paint.

And that’s what we do best.

???? RepaintPro — Gold Coast Aluminium Window Painting Specialists

???? Transforming colonial charm into modern brilliance

???? [Link to dashboard or quote form]

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