Is It Time To Repaint Your Gutters?
If you redo the trim on your house, you will probably want to paint your gutter system to match. The paint on galvanized materials often gets chipped over time. Vinyl gutters can become discolored as they age. A good coat of fresh paint can make these older gutters look like new again.
Basic Tips For Gutter Painting
For best results, disassemble the gutter system prior to cleaning and painting it. Vinyl gutters often come in lengths that will fit inside your garage. Extruded metal pieces generally run the length of your house and will have to be laid out and painted outdoors. Place all gutter sections on a flat surface away from dust and other debris.
Clean the gutters and downspouts thoroughly. All residue and grit must be removed from the surface so that the paint can adhere properly without peeling.
Get rid of all rust on metal surfaces. Use a wire brush and/or sandpaper when necessary. Paint remover may help in some circumstances. Finish cleaning any galvanized surfaces by wiping them down with mineral spirits or a similar solvent.
Use soap and a sponge to removed caked dirt from vinyl. Then, rinse the vinyl gutters thoroughly with water and let them air dry.
Metal gutters and downspouts need a layer of primer to treat the surface and ensure the paint sticks. Allow the primer coat to dry overnight. Vinyl parts don’t need primer, so you can skip this step for plastic gutters.
Use weather resistant exterior latex paint for vinyl parts. Galvanized metal gutters should be covered with an oil based paint designed for outdoor use. Allow plenty of time for each section to dry completely before reassembly.
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