Painting Interior Window Frames

[OrionGrad]

Does anyone on the boards have any experience painting interior window frames/sashes? I've never liked our tan-ish window frames, but it wasn't until reading this post on the Young House Love blog that I'd ever heard that you can actually paint metal window frames. Assuming I could just tape off the windows and window sills, what kind of paint would I use? Would it look bad if I painted the interior window frames without painting the exterior portion?

[HouseofWool]

I don't have any experiece with painting metal ones, but I wouldn't think it would be significantly different than painting wooden windows. By exterior portion, do you mean the part between the interior glass and the storms? Or do you mean the part that is actually outside the house? I would do the former, but not worry about the latter.

[Lala]

I don't know anything about painting metal window frames, but you might want to look into using a primer like "Killz" which can be used on almost any surface, as regular paint might chip off the metal since it's shiny.

[OrionGrad]

Yeah, I think finding a good primer is going to be the key. That, and taping off everything really, really, really well. I'm most worried about the job looking sloppy, but since the windows are a main focal point in our living room that isn't really an option.
I'll make sure to post before/after photos if and/or when I get the guts to go ahead with the project

[DCJenn]

Actually taping is more of a PITA than just using a razor to scrape the glass when you're done. Trust me on this.

J.

[HouseofWool]

Actually taping is more of a PITA than just using a razor to scrape the glass when you're done. Trust me on this.

J.

Yep - you will take a straight edged razor and slice around the frame and the glass to break the paint and then scrape it off the glass. Much less work that taping it off.

[OrionGrad]

Thanks! I never even realized I could do that.