Best paint + technique for external window frames

[NHW]

Currently thinking of changing the paint colour of all the external windows. They were originally white and then paint over with magnolia (previous owner)

I was just going to paint over the existing paint but then wasnt sure if it would be worth scraping/sanding the existing paint off first (assuming this would make the job alot longer) and if this would actually provide any benefits? Also not sure what is the best type of paint to look for when its for external use.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

 

[blightymam]

No benefit really of sanding it down to bare wood, as long as the paint is sound - smooth with no peeling or flaking. Just sand enough to give a really good key.

As for paint, any external paint should do the trick? Used Dulux oil-based weathershield on the front door about 3 years ago, did the job nicely.

 

[emilybronte]

Unless it is somewhere really sheltered, you are probably best with an oilbased system - either Weathershield as advised above, or Little Greene's traditional oilbased gloss or eggshell are best.

 

[Nige F]

Magnet Lead paint - damn they stopped making it - something must be affecting my memory