Use and Care Manual

Before painting or staining Andersen

products, please familiarize yourself

with these general finishing guidelines:

DO NOT paint weatherstripping, gaskets, interlocks, jamb liners, silicone beads,

insect screens or any surface that has sliding contact with other parts.

DO NOT allow painted surfaces to come in contact with other surfaces until

thoroughly dry.

For a clean, attractive stained appearance, the use of a pre-stain or primer is

strongly recommended.

Abrasive cleaners or solutions containing corrosive solvents should not be

used on Andersen

products.

Before painting, use a fast-dry alkyd primer.

Properly prepared wood surfaces absorb finish materials more easily. Prior to

finishing wood interiors, lightly sand the surfaces with fine sandpaper or steel

wool. Sandpaper and steel wool should not contact glass surface. Remove

dust particles with a soft, dry cloth.

• Sanding, staining, painting, varnishing and other finishing procedures should

always be done in well-ventilated areas. Follow all manufacturer’s warnings,

cautions and instructions. Failure to do so may result in injury or illness.

Exterior Finishing

Thoroughly read the paint or stain manufacturer’s instructions prior to applying the

finish. Failure to do so may result in poor appearance or damage to your window.

The exterior frame of Andersen

double-hung windows is covered with rigid vinyl.

Paints and stains may cause damage to the rigid vinyl exteriors. Sandtone

or Terratone

color frame exteriors may be painted any color lighter than Terratone

using quality oil-base or latex paint. Submit color samples to Andersen for approval

when painting White-colored units any other exterior color. Submit color samples

to Andersen for approval when painting Sandtone or Terratone colors or any color

darker than Terratone. Do not paint units with Forest Green-colored exteriors.

Creosote-based stains should not come in contact with Andersen products. For vinyl

painting instructions and preparation, contact your Andersen dealer. Andersen

does not warrant the adhesion of paint to vinyl surfaces.

Prior to finishing the sash exterior, lightly sand the sash with fine sandpaper

or steel wool. Care should be taken to avoid contact of abrasive materials to

the glass surface. Use painter’s tape around the perimeter of the sash and grilles

to further protect the glass surface during finishing. Andersen 400 Series and

200 Series products come standard with protective film which should be removed

after installation, construction, finishing and cleaning has been completed. Remove

dust particles with a clean, dry cloth, and then apply a fast-dry alkyd primer. Paint

can be applied according to paint manufacturer’s instructions.

GENERAL FINISHING & CLEANING GUIDELINES

(CONTINUED)