I want to refinish a couple of hundred old windows with aluminum frame
and sash. The windows are installed in a building; some of the window
frames are painted and some are not (row aluminum finish).
What would be the best / easiest process to refinish the aluminum? 
Please explain in details.  Also, what are my options to have an
acceptable finish result?  Keep in mind that the work will be done on
site (inside the building) so spray painting is not the best solution.
  Please explain in details the process and what materials do I need
and where to buy from.

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 18 Oct 2005 12:49 PDT

Here is a fairly detailed procedure for cleaning aluminum siding that
you may be able to modify to restore your aluminum sashes. It includes
a list of products, materials needed, and a step-by-step process.

HOW TO REFINISH ALUMINUM AND STEEL SIDING
http://everbrite.net/how_to_aluminum.html

In addition I found a volume of information on the restoration of
aluminum using a process called ?anodizing??

Would something like these suit your purposes?

Tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Question by betterbuilding-ga on 19 Oct 2005 13:59 PDT

Dear tutuzdad,

Thank you for considering my question,
After reviewing the link you indicated in your response. Here?s my response:   

http://everbrite.net/how_to_aluminum.html

First as mentioned in my question, the work will be done inside the
building in other words, I need to finish only the interior surface of
the windows where there is no oxidation or rust.
The ?everbrite? process is for removing and cleaning any residue
caused by oxidation, rust or  galvanic action.  Also, the chemical
treatments and finish they are proposing may not be suitable for
interior use for health reasons.   Another concern is that daily use
of the windows / sashes use may wear out the finish.

As for ANODIZING, since I?m in the aluminum window fabrication, I?m
very familiar with the Anodizing process.   This is a great process to
finish non-fabricated aluminum profiles and will not suite my
application.
 
Regards

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 20 Oct 2005 07:56 PDT

As an alternative answer to this question, would you accept the names
of 1 or more experts in this area that you could contact to discuss
this?  They would charge typically an hourly fee for this information.

Thank you,

jbf777

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Clarification of Question by betterbuilding-ga on 21 Oct 2005 08:09 PDT

My experience with consultant is not positive.  I rather have somone 
with hands-on experience to answer

Why in the world would you want to go to the trouble of refinishing
oxidized aluminum when you could easily and quickly replace them
outright?  If you are in the business, you could replace them in far
less time and at much lower cost than trying to fix the old ones.  At
the end of the day you would have new screens instead of junky old
ones.  What am I missing here?

I agree with you, it will be less expensive and makes more sense to
replace the whole window but maybe not in this case.   The windows
were installed some 15 years ago and glazing of the windows was done
onsite with sealant instead of glazing tape making the glass very hard
to move (Deglaze).    The special glass units they used is made of 1
float glass on one side and one decorated stained pieces of glasses
separated by brass bar.   The make of the glass is very beautiful and
intricate.  Everyone in the building want to keep the same glass