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Wagner Airless 415 Tip

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Wagner Airless 415 Tip

Here we are testing out a new 415 tip with our airless spray gun.  It makes doing ornate cornice like these a breeze.  This is not the DIY kind of project you really want to look at painting with an airless inside your home

 

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Stephen Lockyer

Professional painters and Decorators on the Gold Coast. Serving all your interior and exterior painting needs.

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Repainting Aluminium Windows and Diamond Grill Security Screens – From Old Classic Cream to Pearl White on the Gold Coast

Security screens and aluminium windows are two of the most visible elements on almost every Gold Coast home. They sit on the façade, they surround the entry points, and they frame every window in the house. When these two components age—especially when they’re still in the original cream or faded powder-coat—they immediately date the entire home, no matter how many renovations or exterior upgrades have already been completed.

One of the most common combinations we see across the Gold Coast, from Mudgeeraba to Palm Beach, Robina, Parkwood, Southport and Burleigh Waters, is cream aluminium windows paired with cream Diamond Grill security screens. That old off-white tone was the standard in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s when thousands of homes were built. Over time, however, those screens have faded, yellowed, oxidised or collected grime in the corners. Even when the glass windows are repainted, the security screens remain the biggest giveaway of a home’s age.

This long-form article breaks down the entire process of repainting Diamond Grill aluminium security screens from cream to white, as shown in your video. It explains why these screens must be removed and sprayed separately, why priming and preparation matter, how the transformation is achieved, and why the result is so effective on Gold Coast homes.

This is a complete technical and customer-friendly breakdown—exactly the style we have developed across all your blog content.


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1. Why Diamond Grill Security Screens Need Repainting

Diamond Grill screens were installed in tens of thousands of Gold Coast homes. Their patterned aluminium design was strong, cost-effective and widely used by builders. But the original powder-coat colour typically used was cream, off-white or a variation of light beige.

As the years pass, Diamond Grill screens show:

oxidation

powdery or chalky residue

chips along the grill edges

fading in the sun

yellowing from age

dirt buildup around rivets and corners

discoloured fly mesh

mismatched frames compared with modern window colours


When the surrounding walls or windows are updated, the screens stand out instantly.

Painting them provides:

a cohesive colour with the new window frames

a fresh, bright, modern appearance

a much sharper contrast against glass

uniformity across all doors and windows

a significantly newer look without replacing the screens


For many homeowners, repainting Diamond Grill screens achieves the same visual result as buying new screens—without wasting thousands of dollars on replacement.


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2. Why White Is One of the Best Colours for Screen Repainting

The video shows the screens being transformed from the old cream into a modern white. White is one of the strongest, cleanest upgrades for Diamond Grill and aluminium frames, especially on the Gold Coast.

White works because:

it brightens the appearance of the home

it blends perfectly with interior blinds and plantation shutters

it matches modern render and exterior colours

it reflects sunlight, reducing visual heat

it hides the age of the original aluminium

it looks clean, crisp and sharp against glass

it suits both coastal homes and hillside suburbs

it ties in well with new architectural colour schemes


White is also the colour most commonly chosen by customers repainting older cream screens. Even homeowners keeping their window frames in darker colours like black, Monument or Charcoal often still choose white for interior screen doors to achieve a bright, clean internal view.


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3. Removing the Screens – The First Essential Step

Diamond Grill screens must be removed before spraying. This is non-negotiable.

Spraying them in place results in:

overspray on walls

uneven grill coverage

paint bridging in corners

missed sections underneath mesh

lack of adhesion

runs where spray can’t be angled properly


Removing the screens allows:

full access to all surfaces

correct cleaning

sanding behind the mesh

even primer build

complete lacquer coverage

consistent drying

no overspray onto the home


The pull-out process varies depending on the age of the screens, but most are removed with minimal effort and transported to a safe spraying location.


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4. Cleaning Diamond Grill Screens Before Painting

Cleaning is the most critical step after removal.

Screens collect:

airborne dust

pet hair

hand oils

bug residue

oxidation powder

grease from cooking areas

contaminants from lawn watering

surface chalkiness


A dirty screen cannot hold primer.

The cleaning process typically involves:

wax and grease remover

scrubbing with Scotch-Brite pads

fine brushes around rivets

pressure washing if appropriate

rinsing thoroughly

drying completely


Diamond Grill patterns have multiple angles and edges that trap grime. Every inch must be perfectly clean before sanding and priming begin.


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5. Sanding Security Screens – Creating a Proper Key for Primer

Sanding Diamond Grill screens takes time because of their shape. The mesh sections, grill patterns, corner folds and frame edges must all be abraded to ensure proper adhesion.

Sanding achieves:

removal of old chalked powder-coat

breaking surface tension

levelling micro-imperfections

improving primer grip

smoothing sharp edges

preparing the grill surface evenly


Because screens have so many edges and recessed areas, sanding requires:

hand sanding

abrasive pads

narrow scuff tools

folded sanding sheets

additional focus around rivets and weld points


If sanding is incomplete, primer may sit on top of the old powder coat rather than bonding into it, which is why this step must be thorough.


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6. Masking Mesh and Surrounding Areas (If Required)

Depending on the design, mesh may be removed or masked differently. Diamond Grill screens often have mesh that can remain in place but must be completely protected to prevent lacquer bridging or clogging.

Masking may include:

full-face mesh protection

edge taping around rubber seals

internal frame masking

ensuring no tape lifts during spraying


Mesh cannot be accidentally sprayed—paint inside mesh causes blockages, reduces air flow and makes the screen look uneven.

Correct masking ensures the final result looks factory fresh.


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7. Priming the Screens – The Bonding Layer That Makes the System Work

Primer is essential on aluminium, including Diamond Grill screens.
Your process uses a professional aluminium primer system (single-pack or 2-pac depending on conditions). The primer:

bonds to the sanded aluminium

locks down any remaining oxidation

prevents corrosion

prepares the surface for lacquer

evens out colour and texture

increases durability

ensures no peeling or flaking


Diamond Grill screens require a light, controlled application of primer to prevent runs while still covering every face of the grill.

Multiple thin coats are often better than one heavy one, especially on angled grill bars where paint naturally gathers.


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8. Applying the White Tack Coat – The Key to Avoiding Runs

Before spraying the full wet coats, a tack coat of white lacquer is applied.

The tack coat:

creates grip for the wet coats

evens out the sheen

reduces the risk of runs

helps paint hold on angled surfaces

ensures consistent flow-out

bonds into the primer layer

stabilises the surface for the final coats


Diamond Grill patterns are notorious for causing runs if sprayed too heavily.
The tack coat is what prevents that from happening.


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9. Spraying the Full Wet White Coats – Building Colour and Depth

Once the tack coat has cured to the correct tack level, the wet coats are applied.

This is where the true white colour begins to form.

Spraying Diamond Grill screens requires:

controlled pressure

correct gun distance

angled spray passes

overlapping coverage

slow, steady movements

careful attention to each grill face

consistent monitoring for heavy build points


The wet coats must:

cover evenly

avoid pooling

level smoothly

retain gloss (if gloss white is used)

avoid dry patches

avoid bridging between grill bars


Screens are rotated or repositioned during spraying to ensure full coverage on:

top faces

underside angles

vertical edges

corners

frame returns


Many screens require multiple angles to achieve uniform colour.


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10. Drying and Curing – Allowing the White Finish to Harden

After spraying, the screens must dry fully before handling or reinstalling.

Drying time depends on:

humidity

temperature

air movement

lacquer type

thickness of coats


Screens cannot be touched or installed too early or the gloss may mark or dent.

Proper curing ensures:

hardness

durability

scratch resistance

long-term adhesion


Once cured, the white finish produces a clean, fresh look that dramatically modernises the appearance of the home.


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11. Reinstalling the Screens – Completing the Transformation

Reinstalling the screens is the final step.

After the frames are fully cured:

fly mesh is checked

rollers (if applicable) are inspected

screws and hardware are cleaned

frames are re-seated correctly

alignment is confirmed

any movement or rattle is corrected


When screens slide or lock better after reinstalling, customers immediately notice the improvement.


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12. Why Customers Choose Repainting Instead of Replacing

Replacement Diamond Grill screens are expensive, especially for large sliding doors or multiple windows.

Painting offers:

a modern look

perfect colour matching with new window frames

preservation of the original structure

no need for new mesh

no removal of interior trims

no damage to render

no disposal costs

far less disruption


The factory-like finish achieved through your system makes repainting the smarter decision for most homeowners.


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13. Why This Transformation Works Especially Well in Gold Coast Suburbs

Screens like these benefit homes in:

Reedy Creek

Mudgeeraba

Robina

Burleigh Waters

Varsity Lakes

Palm Beach

Southport

Parkwood

Helensvale

Labrador

Arundel

Hope Island


All of these suburbs have thousands of older cream screens.
A clean white repaint lifts the entire façade.


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14. Why We Share These Videos and Processes

Not to sell.
To show.

Most people assume repainting a screen is simple.
Your videos show the reality—cleaning, sanding, masking, priming, tack coats, and controlled lacquer application.

This transparency builds trust and helps customers understand why the final result looks like a new screen rather than a touched-up one.


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15. Final Result – From Cream to White on Diamond Grill Security Screens

The transformation shown in the video—from old cream to sharp, modern white—is exactly what the Gold Coast market wants.

The final finish is:

clean

bright

smooth

consistent

crisp at edges

factory-like

durable

modern


With the white screens reinstalled, the home looks years younger.
They blend into both the interior and exterior colours, hide the grill pattern more effectively, and create the appearance of larger, cleaner glass

November 28, 2025