Repairs and maintenance

Powder coating and on-site respraying

Powder coating is a dry polymer finish applied to metal and cured in an oven, so it happens off site. On-site respraying uses liquid paint sprayed onto masked frames in place. Both refresh or recolour an aluminium or steel shopfront without replacing the frame.

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Aluminium frame being resprayed on site with masked glass

How do you know you need this?

You need a refinish when the frame has faded, chalked, peeled, blistered or taken on scratches that cleaning cannot shift. A chalky residue on your finger is a common sign of a weathered coating. Rebranding, a new tenant or a lease requirement to restore the frontage are other reasons. If the metal beneath is sound, a new finish usually costs much less than a new frontage.

What do we fix?

Powder coating off siteRemovable parts go to a coating plant to be stripped, pre-treated and oven-cured. The film is tough, but the parts have to come off the building.

On-site wet sprayingFrames are cleaned, abraded, primed and sprayed in place, with glass and surroundings masked. It suits fixed frames that cannot come out.

Colour change for a rebrandFrames, doors and panels can be recoloured to a RAL reference, so a new tenant need not replace sound metalwork.

Touch-ups and scratch repairsLocal damage is feathered back and blended. On older finishes, a small repair can show, so a whole section may look better.

Painting anodised framesAnodised aluminium needs thorough cleaning and a compatible primer before paint will hold.

Shutters, doors and panelsShutter boxes, door frames and flat panels can be sprayed to match the rest of the frontage.

How much does it cost to respray a shopfront?

Refinishing a shopfront costs £395 to £1,695 ex VAT per frontage. Frontage size, the state of the old finish, masking and any colour change decide the figure, and taking parts off for powder coating adds labour. Clear photos are often enough for a price. If adhesion or corrosion needs checking, a charged diagnostic visit, from £125 ex VAT, is arranged, and you see that price first.

Guide prices exclude VAT. Your repair price, including any visit charge, is confirmed before work starts.

What is the specification?

Powder coating standard	BS EN 12206-1 for architectural aluminium; Qualicoat is a quality label
Typical film thickness	Around 60 to 70 microns for architectural polyester powder
Curing	Oven-cured, so a true powder coat cannot be applied to an installed frame
Colour	RAL is a colour system, and gloss level is specified separately
On-site paint	Two-pack liquid coatings are common, and many contain isocyanates, so sprayers need suitable protection
Listed buildings	A colour change may need listed building consent

How does the job run?

Agree the finish
Choose the RAL colour and gloss level, and decide whether parts come off or are sprayed in place.
Prepare the frame
Frames are cleaned and abraded, corrosion is treated, and the glass and surrounding surfaces are masked.
Apply the coating
Primer and top coats are sprayed on site, or parts are coated and cured at the plant.
Unmask and check
Masking comes off, edges are cleaned up and the finish is checked with you in daylight.

Common questions

Can a shopfront be powder coated on site?

No, true powder coating needs an oven, so it cannot be done on an installed frame. On-site work uses liquid paint sprayed in place. If you want powder coating, parts must be removed, which suits small sections and panels better than a whole fixed frontage.

How long does an on-site respray last?

It depends on preparation, paint system and exposure, and it will not usually match an oven-cured coat for durability. A properly prepared frame can hold its finish for years with regular cleaning. Coastal sites and frames with existing corrosion tend to need attention sooner.

Can I keep trading during a respray?

Usually yes. Work can be split into sections or arranged out of hours, overnight or at weekends. Some paints smell strongly and need time to cure, so we agree access, masking and the working area with you before starting.

Do I need permission to change my shopfront colour?

Sometimes. A listed building may need listed building consent, and a lease may restrict colours. A conservation area can bring extra planning controls, so ask your council. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the council makes the decision in each case.

Can you respray anodised aluminium?

Yes, with the right preparation. The surface must be thoroughly cleaned and keyed, then primed with a product suited to anodised metal. Once painted, the frame loses its metallic look and will need repainting in future, so consider that before going ahead.

Which materials go with this?

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