Tamara says....
This is an easy/affordable temporary fix. First, scrub the aluminum with soap and water, rinse and let dry. If the paint has chipped off and bare aluminum is exposed, you will need to spot-prime the area with an exterior metal primer. (For peace of mind, some people prime all of the aluminum first.) Then, paint it with a high-quality acrylic latex paint, which helps prevent fading. If your aluminum is very dented, don’t use a high-gloss paint as it will highlight imperfections.

Tamara Chiarello's interior design company, In Vision, does both residential and commercial work. Send her your decorating questions here.