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How to paint vinyl shutters
- Start by creating a template, numbering the shutters, and labeling them on the template, so it’s easier to keep track of which ones went where.
- Remove the shutters from the house. Number them with a marker in the back as you go.
- Rinse all the shutters with a garden hose. Then, mix together the detergent with water in a bucket. Use a scrubbing brush in the cleaning solution to clean off the shutters. Rinse the shutters off a final time after scrubbing.
- After the shutters have dried, lay them out on a drop cloth.
- Prime the paint sprayer using a bucket. Then, spray the paint evenly across all the shutters, overlapping by 50% with each pass. Apply 2 coats.
- Allow the paint to dry before hanging them back up.
- Touch up all the screw heads for the shutters with a little bit of paint and the paint brush.
Always paint all six sides of the shutters—including the top and bottom edges—to protect them against moisture infiltration. When painting shutters with movable louvers, make sure to open and close the louvers after you paint them to keep them from sticking.
Pro Tip: This Old House painter Mauro Henrique advises: “You’ll want to paint them all at one time, so find a large, flat area to do the work, a place away from overhanging trees where the shutters can rest undisturbed while the paint dries.”
Choose a day that’s at least 60 degrees F and calm. Before you begin spraying, trigger the gun into an empty 5-gallon bucket to make sure there are no clogs, and adjust the gun’s tip to spray in a vertical pattern. Wearing eye protection and a disposable respirator, hold the tip 10 inches from the shutter and keep it parallel to the surface with each pass. Pull and release the trigger only when the tip is moving—stopping the gun while the trigger is pulled will leave a thick buildup of paint that’s prone to runs. Spray the shutters’ edges immediately after spraying their faces.
Resources
Mauro washed the shutters using a biodegradable cleaner, in this case Simple Green, mixed with water to remove the dirt.
Mauro chose an exterior paint in Hale Navy for the shutters, manufactured by Benjamin Moore.
Other materials for this project including respirators and drop cloths are available at home centers and paint suppliers.
Pro Tip: According to Mauro Henrique, painting faded vinyl shutters is a DIY-friendly job that “will definitely improve their looks and have a big impact on your home’s appearance.” Just make sure you feel confident about climbing a ladder to remove and reinstall them.
