Can curtain walling be resprayed without replacing the glazing?

A colour change does not always require new frames

Yes—where the frames, glazing and associated components remain serviceable, suitable curtain walling can be prepared and spray finished in place. The glass can remain while the specified frame surfaces receive a new finish. For a showroom, office or retail building, this provides a way to refresh the frontage without replacing sound components solely to change their colour.

Suitability needs checking first. A tired appearance and a failing glazing system are different problems. If there are leaks, damaged glass, loose components or other building defects, those need assessment by the appropriate specialist. A decorative coating cannot correct them. The initial survey should establish which surfaces need refinishing and which items need separate repair.

Is on-site spraying the same as factory powder coating?

An on-site refurbishment normally uses a compatible liquid coating rather than reapplying the original factory powder coating. AkzoNobel's Interpon repair guidance includes complete on-site resprays using a liquid coating process. Its guidance also cautions that repaired finishes may weather differently from the original powder-coated surface.

That distinction matters when discussing a local repair versus a complete colour change. Agree the extent of the work, colour and sheen before proceeding, and discuss a sample where the appearance is critical. A coating specification should identify the system proposed for the actual substrate and existing finish; the original factory coating's warranty should not be assumed to transfer to the refurbishment.

What should be checked before spraying?

Ask the contractor to assess the existing finish, surface contamination, damaged areas and the condition of the frames. Preparation needs to leave a sound surface for the new system. Manufacturer guidance for on-site resprays includes cleaning, mechanical preparation, protection of unaffected areas and a coating sequence suited to the substrate.

The scope also needs to define what is being coated. A curtain wall elevation can meet entrance doors, cladding panels, signs and other architectural details. A quotation saying only 'spray the front' leaves too much open to interpretation. Marked photographs or an elevation drawing can help everyone agree the same boundaries.

• Identify external faces, internal faces and opening edges separately
• List entrance doors and adjacent trims if they are included
• Record damaged areas and any repairs needed before coating
• Agree the colour reference, sheen and sample requirements
• Clarify any work needed from a glazing or sealant specialist

How are the glazing and working areas protected?

Careful masking is central to the finish around glazing. Glass and adjacent surfaces that are outside the coating scope need protection, with the agreed preparation and application methods planned around the building. Manufacturer instructions and the condition of seals and adjoining materials should inform the method.

For the client, the practical questions are access and day-to-day use: which entrances will be available, where vehicles can park, which areas must be isolated and when each section can return to normal use. If both sides of frames are included, the internal protection and access requirements also need discussing. An occupied building should not be promised uninterrupted operation before these details have been assessed.

Apex's Geely Chesterfield curtain walling refurbishment

At Geely Car Garage in Chesterfield, Apex returned after the earlier cladding phase to refurbish the curtain walling, sliding entrance doors and fire door. The specified surfaces were cleaned and degreased, Scotch-keyed and carefully masked before a polyurethane coating system was applied in RAL 9005 Jet Black.

The saved case study records the existing curtain walling and doors being transformed rather than replaced. The work coordinated these prominent frontage elements with the previously refurbished cladding. It is a useful example of the scope a client should define: the framing, entrances and adjoining building elements were considered together, with preparation and protection forming part of the work.

What determines the price and programme?

The quotation depends on the extent of the frames, building height, access, existing surface condition, preparation and the amount of protection required. Whether the work includes one or both sides, entrance systems or separate repairs also affects the scope. A fixed price based only on the overall glazed area can miss the detail involved.

For a building in York, elsewhere in Yorkshire or further afield, send photographs of the full elevation and close-ups of the frames. Include the building's use and any restrictions on access or working hours. Apex can then identify the information needed for an accurate quotation and discuss whether the work should be divided into phases.

Discuss your curtain walling project with Apex

Apex Specialist Spray Coatings Ltd is based near York and works nationwide. To discuss curtain walling spraying, a showroom colour change or a commercial frontage refurbishment, email apexspecialistspraycoatings@outlook.com or call 07904 815512.

Send the location, clear photographs, approximate dimensions and the finish you want. The related curtain walling service and Geely Chesterfield case study provide further information about the work Apex offers.