Paint shutters to brighten your home exterior.
Shutters provide us with some control over the flow of light in a room, ventilation with some degree of privacy and protection from the elements. Whether your shutters are decorative or functional, interior or exterior, old or new, painting them will take years off their aging appearance.
Removal
Remove the shutters from their mounts, and give them a thorough cleaning with a mild soap and warm water. Dry them off with a clean cloth, and let them dry for another 24 hours to make sure there are no remaining moisture spots that will later cause peeling.
Sanding
With a piece of fine grit sandpaper (150-180), sand down any chips or protrusions and fill small holes and dents with spackle. Allow the spackling to dry, and sand these areas flush to the surface. Wipe the shutters thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
More Prep
Put a small piece of wood, such as a matchstick, between the louvers and the adjustment lever. This will create a space between the louvers and the adjustment lever, preventing a pooling area for paint. Spray painting is the recommended method for painting shutters.
Apply Primer
Prop your shutters up against something you've covered with a drop cloth in a well-ventilated area. Shake your can of primer thoroughly, about one minute. Hold the can about 12 inches from the surface. Begin making a left to right movement with the can before you start spraying, then start spraying.
Spray with a single fluid motion from left to right. Continue the movement after you've removed your finger from the spray button. Move to the next area, using the same method. Repeat this until the front side is fully painted. Turn the shutter sideways and lightly spray the areas beneath the adjustment lever, from 12 inches away. Turn the shutter over and open the slats about 45 degrees. Lightly spray over the louvers from left to right, using the same continuous motion methods. Allow the primer to dry.
Apply Paint
Use this same method to apply several very thin layers of paint, allowing a few hours of drying time between applications.
Painting Vinyl Shutters
You may be surprised to learn that you can paint your faded vinyl shutters. Clean them well, removing any grime and spotting. To cover vinyl shutters you must use a paint that has urethane and acrylic resins; other paints won't adhere properly. Choose paint that's the same color or lighter than the existing color. Dark colors will heat the vinyl beneath the paint when it's exposed to sunlight and warp the blinds. Find suitable paints at paint supply stores, or wherever specialized paint products are sold. Alternatively, choose a spray paint designed for this purpose.
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