RepaintPro repainting old yellow aluminium door frames to gloss black in Mudgeeraba, showing full preparation through to automotive lacquer.

Painting Old Yellow Aluminium Door Frames Gloss Black in Mudgeeraba – From Bare Prep to Final Automotive Finish

Old yellow aluminium door frames are one of the most common things we repaint around Mudgeeraba. They’re not broken, they’re not failing structurally, but visually they date a home instantly. Once walls are repainted, roofs updated, or interiors modernised, these yellow frames stand out for all the wrong reasons.

This project in Mudgeeraba shows the full repainting process from start to finish. The video follows a series of aluminium doors from their original unpainted and sanded state, through washing and preparation, right through to the second coat of automotive lacquer being applied. It’s a good example of why aluminium window and door painting is a step-by-step process and why skipping stages always shows in the final result.

This post breaks down each stage of that process in detail, explains why gloss black is such a popular finish for older aluminium, and shows how proper preparation and controlled spraying produces a finish that looks factory-applied rather than painted.

Why Old Yellow Aluminium Frames Are So Common in Mudgeeraba

Mudgeeraba has a wide mix of housing styles, but many homes still retain their original aluminium joinery. Yellow and cream finishes were extremely popular when these homes were built, and at the time they worked with brick colours, roof tones, and interior palettes.

Fast forward to today, and those same frames often clash with:

modern paint schemes

white or neutral interiors

updated roofing

darker fences or balustrades

contemporary renovations

Even when everything else has been updated, the aluminium doors and windows are often left untouched because people assume replacement is the only option.

In most cases, replacement isn’t necessary. The frames themselves are still solid. What they need is a colour change and a proper coating system.

Why Gloss Black Is a Common Choice for Aluminium Doors

Gloss black has become one of the most popular finishes for aluminium doors and windows, especially when repainting older frames.

The reason is simple: black changes how the frame is perceived.

On glass, black:

visually disappears

reduces the appearance of frame thickness

makes the glass feel larger

creates strong contrast

suits both interiors and exteriors

For doors, gloss black also:

highlights clean lines

suits modern hardware

pairs well with timber, stone, brick, and render

works with both light and dark colour schemes

However, gloss black is unforgiving. Any shortcuts in preparation, sanding, or spraying will show immediately. That’s why the process matters so much.

Stage 1: Assessing the Doors and Existing Finish

Before any work begins, the aluminium doors are assessed for:

existing coating condition

oxidation

surface contamination

damage or dents

condition of rubbers and hardware

On this job, the frames were old yellow aluminium. The colour itself was the issue, not the integrity of the frames. That makes repainting a logical option.

Stage 2: Sanding the Aluminium Back Properly

Sanding is one of the most important stages in aluminium repainting, and it’s where many failures start if done poorly.

Aluminium is non-porous. Paint does not soak in or grip naturally. It must be mechanically keyed so primers can bond.

On this job, sanding involved:

evenly scuffing all visible aluminium surfaces

paying close attention to edges and folds

avoiding polishing the surface smooth

ensuring consistent abrasion across the frame

The video shows the frames at this stage — unpainted, sanded, and dull rather than shiny. That dull, evenly keyed surface is exactly what primers need.

Stage 3: Washing and Cleaning After Sanding

Once aluminium is sanded, it must be cleaned again. Sanding lifts oxidation and contaminants to the surface, and leaving that residue behind will compromise adhesion.

After sanding, the doors were:

washed thoroughly

wiped down to remove dust and residue

prepared for degreasing

This washing stage ensures that the surface is clean before any solvents or primers are introduced.

Skipping this step is a common mistake. Even good sanding won’t help if contaminants are left on the surface.

Stage 4: Wax and Grease Removal

Before primer is applied, the aluminium is wiped down with wax and grease remover. This step removes:

oils

fingerprints

residues

airborne contaminants

On aluminium, especially older frames, this step is critical. Any contamination left behind can cause adhesion issues or surface defects once the coating system is applied.

This stage happens after sanding and washing, not before. That sequence matters.

Stage 5: Masking and Protecting Surrounding Surfaces

With the frames clean and keyed, masking is completed to protect:

glass

rubber seals

surrounding walls

floors and thresholds

On door frames, masking needs to be precise because doors are high-use areas. Clean lines are essential, and rubbers must remain untouched.

Good masking at this stage is what allows clean tape removal later and gives the finish a factory look.

Stage 6: Priming the Aluminium

Primer is not about colour. It’s about adhesion.

Aluminium requires primers designed to bond to metal and provide a stable base for the topcoat. On this job, primer was applied after:

sanding

washing

degreasing

masking

Primer was sprayed evenly to create a consistent foundation across the doors.

If primer is skipped or applied incorrectly, the final finish may look acceptable initially but fail over time.

Stage 7: The First Coat of Automotive Lacquer

Once the primer has cured appropriately, the first coat of automotive lacquer is applied.

Automotive lacquer is used because:

it lays flat

it produces a smooth finish

it suits aluminium profiles

it allows controlled film build

The first coat is not about full coverage. It’s about establishing an even base layer that subsequent coats can build on.

Spray technique at this stage is critical. Heavy application can lead to runs, while uneven coverage creates patchiness.

Stage 8: Building the Second Coat of Gloss Black

The video shows the second coat of gloss black automotive lacquer being applied. This is where the finish really comes together.

The second coat:

evens out the colour

builds depth

increases gloss

smooths the surface

At this stage, the preparation work pays off. Because the sanding, cleaning, and priming were done correctly, the lacquer lays flat and consistent across the doors.

Gloss black highlights everything. The fact that it looks clean and uniform is a direct result of the process being followed correctly from the start.

Stage 9: Why Spraying Is Essential for This Type of Work

Brushing or rolling aluminium doors would not produce this result.

Spraying allows:

even film build

smooth surfaces

consistent gloss

clean edges

factory-style appearance

On doors with multiple panels or profiles, spraying is the only method that produces an even result without heavy edges or texture.

Stage 10: Tape Removal and Final Inspection

Once the lacquer has reached the correct stage, tape is removed carefully to reveal:

clean edges

sharp lines

untouched rubbers

consistent colour

This is the moment where the quality of the job becomes obvious. Any shortcuts would show immediately.

A final inspection ensures:

no missed areas

consistent gloss

clean transitions

smooth finish

Why This Process Works So Well in Mudgeeraba Homes

Mudgeeraba homes often have:

multiple doors

internal/external aluminium

varied lighting conditions

modern renovations paired with older joinery

Repainting aluminium doors in gloss black brings everything back into alignment with the rest of the home. It removes the visual noise caused by old yellow frames and creates a cohesive look.

Suburbs With Similar Aluminium Conditions

This same process is commonly used across:

Worongary

Bonogin

Robina

Reedy Creek

Carrara

Parkwood

The age and style of aluminium frames across these suburbs are very similar to Mudgeeraba.

Final Thoughts

This job shows why aluminium window and door painting is a process, not a shortcut. From sanding and washing through to primer and the second coat of automotive lacquer, each stage builds on the last.

Old yellow aluminium doesn’t need to be replaced to look modern. When prepared and sprayed properly, it can be transformed into a clean, sharp, gloss black finish that looks like it was manufactured that way from the start.