White Primer on Aluminium Windows: Behind the Scenes with RepaintPro | Varsity Lakes Blog Feature

Today, we’re showing you what most painters never bother to highlight — the primer stage.

In this latest video, the camera pans slowly around a freshly primed set of aluminium window frames. No topcoat yet. No filters. Just raw, white Norglass primer sprayed professionally using HVLP gear. And honestly — they already look better than half the finished work we see around town.

This post takes you inside our process, zooms in on why white primer matters, and helps explain why proper preparation is the real key to long-lasting aluminium resprays.

Whether you’re in Mudgeeraba, Robina, Mermaid Waters, Clear Island Waters, Burleigh, or anywhere across the Gold Coast, this is the information homeowners, builders, and renovators need to see before touching a spray gun.

What You’re Seeing in the Video ????

The video features:

⚪ A full set of aluminium windows primed in white ???? Even, smooth spray application ???? Sharp masking lines along render and glass ???? Camera panning slowly around the job site, showing the primer-only stage

There’s no music. No quick cuts. Just a slow, honest walkthrough that captures exactly what goes into this part of the job.

And it’s important — because primer is what makes or breaks the success of the entire repaint.

Why Use White Primer?

We get this question a lot:

“Why white? Isn’t primer just primer?”

Actually — no. The colour of the primer helps determine the final look and efficiency of the paint job.

Here’s when we use white primer:

When the topcoat is Pearl White, Surfmist, or any other light colour To neutralise previous colours like bronze or silver To avoid bleed-through of dark or oxidised areas To ensure a clean, bright undercoat for gloss and satin whites

Norglass All Surface Primer (the product we’re using in this video) is specially formulated for:

Non-ferrous metals like aluminium Previously powder-coated surfaces Challenging LSE (Low Surface Energy) finishes High humidity and coastal conditions like we get across the Gold Coast

Why We Use Norglass for Aluminium Windows

There are plenty of primers on the market — but we don’t pick ours based on price.

We choose Norglass All Surface Primer for a few key reasons:

✅ Proven performance on aged and new powder coat ✅ Strong adhesion to lightly abraded aluminium ✅ Excellent holdout for topcoats (gloss, satin, metallic) ✅ UV resistance during curing (important on outdoor jobs) ✅ Quick dry times to reduce risk in high-moisture zones

When applied correctly, Norglass gives us a tough, even base layer that grips deep into the sanded substrate and resists peeling, chalking, or lifting down the track.

It’s the quiet hero of our entire window system.

Why Priming Should Never Be Skipped (But Often Is)

We’ve seen other jobs — plenty of them.

The most common mistake we see from DIY painters or cheap quotes?

They skip primer completely.

Instead, they:

Lightly scuff (or don’t sand at all) Spray straight over oxidised powder coating Use fence paint or acrylics instead of 2-pack systems

You can usually spot these jobs because:

The topcoat peels at the corners It scratches easily The finish looks thin or patchy And in some cases — as shown in one of our other videos — it peels off with masking tape

Primer isn’t an option. It’s the foundation.

The Full RepaintPro Prep System

Before we spray a single drop of primer, we go through a process that’s been refined over decades. It’s not fast, but it works — and it’s why our finishes last 6–10+ years.

Here’s how it looks on site:

1. Surface Cleaning

We start with wax and grease remover to strip any oils, silicones, and contaminants. This step is critical around kitchen windows, bathrooms, and any aluminium that’s had years of human contact or grime buildup.

2. Mechanical Abrasion

We sand the entire window frame, using scuff pads, sanding blocks, and detail tools to reach tight mitres and corners. This gives the primer something to physically grip.

3. Dust Removal

We vacuum and wipe down every surface. Dust ruins finish quality and bond strength — so we make sure every millimetre is clean before we prime.

4. Full Masking

Every edge is masked with:

Professional edge tape (low-tack, high-hold) Plastic sheeting Commercial-grade masking paper Drop sheets and ground protection

The masking stage takes hours — but it’s why our tape pulls are razor sharp.

5. HVLP Primer Spraying

Then we spray on white Norglass primer using HVLP gear. The finish is:

Even Controlled Fast drying UV-resistant while curing

What you’re seeing in the video is this exact step — and you can clearly see how smooth and consistent the result is.

When Do We Use Black Primer Instead?

Some of our other videos feature black primer, and it’s used for different reasons.

We use black primer when:

The final colour is dark (Monument, Matt Black, Woodland Grey) The original powder coat was charcoal or bronze We want to reduce the number of topcoat passes required

But when the topcoat is Pearl White, Surfmist, or another light tone, white primer is essential. It prevents dark bleed-through and gives the final colour clarity and depth.

What You Don’t See in Most Painting Videos (But We Show It)

Most painters only show you:

The final gloss coat A few before-and-after pics A brush in hand for marketing

We show the primer stage because that’s where the real work happens.

From Worongary to Broadbeach Waters, from Benowa to Coomera, we take the time to show clients the “in-between” part — where chalky frames are masked and primed with care before any glamour shots are taken.

Why? Because:

It builds trust It shows we don’t cut corners And it proves our system works

Busting the Myths We Still Hear Around the Gold Coast ❌

We keep hearing old-school painter myths. Let’s clear a few of them up right here.

❌ “Black lasts longer than white in the sun”

Not true. UV resistance comes from the coating system, not the pigment. This myth is used to avoid masking black window seals. At RepaintPro, we mask all seals, regardless of colour.

❌ “Primer isn’t needed on powder coat”

False. Powder-coated aluminium is a low surface energy material. You need to sand and prime it to get any lasting adhesion.

❌ “You can’t remove and respray screens”

Yes, you can. We remove, spray, and even re-mesh security and flyscreens regularly. Laziness, not logistics, is usually the reason people skip it.

❌ “Spraying is risky, glass could break”

In 7 years, we’ve had two glass panes crack — both due to screen tension, not spraying. With proper care and experience, glass is perfectly safe.

Where We Work – Full Gold Coast Coverage

We service residential and commercial projects across the Gold Coast and into Brisbane South, including:

Southern & Central GC:

Mudgeeraba, Robina, Varsity Lakes, Reedy Creek, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Clear Island Waters, Mermaid Waters, Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach Waters, Broadbeach

Hinterland & Elevated Areas:

Worongary, Bonogin, Tallai, Highland Park, Carrara, Nerang

Northern GC:

Benowa, Ashmore, Southport, Arundel, Pacific Pines, Helensvale, Coomera, Pimpama, Hope Island

Brisbane South (larger jobs):

Springwood, Rochedale, Eight Mile Plains, Sunnybank, Loganholme, Upper Mount Gravatt

We organise scaffolding and safety gear where required for 2-storey and commercial jobs.

How Long Does It Take?

Most jobs take:

???? 3–5 days for a single-storey home ???? 5–7 days for two-storey or larger projects ???? Includes full prep, priming, spraying, drying, and clean-up

Our schedule is flexible — and we can work around your repainting, renovations, or external building works.

How to Get a Quote

We’ve made quoting simple:

???? Send us clear photos of each window, door, or gate

???? Include your suburb

???? Let us know your colour preference (or current colour)

???? Tell us if you want screens included (we’ll price them separately)

We’ll send back a fixed-price quote that includes:

GST Materials Primer and topcoat Security/flyscreen option 2-storey fee if applicable

No hidden extras.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can I be home while you spray?

Yes — but we recommend stepping out for a few hours during spraying, as a precaution. Most clients go out for the day and return to dry, aired-out spaces.

❓ How long does it last?

Our system delivers 6–10+ years of finish life. We offer a 6-year workmanship warranty on all window repaints.

❓ What finishes do you offer?

Gloss, satin, and low-sheen in 2-pack polyurethane. Perfect for aluminium windows, doors, garage doors, and fences.

❓ Can you colour match?

Yes — we match Dulux, Colorbond, and custom designer colours. Metallics and whites carry a small premium due to difficulty and product cost.

Final Word: The Window May Look Finished, But It Starts With Primer

When you watch our slow pan across a freshly primed window, you’re seeing:

The result of hours of sanding and cleaning A clean white Norglass base ready for topcoat The real work that most painters hide — or skip

We’re proud of this part of the process. It’s what sets us apart.

So before you replace your aluminium windows — or trust someone who says, “we don’t need primer” — watch our video. Look at the sharp lines, the even coat, and the preparation that guarantees your finish will last.

RepaintPro – the Gold Coast’s #1 name in aluminium window respraying

???? Send us your photos

???? Tell us your location

???? Choose your colour

???? Get a fast, honest quote

We’re ready when you are.