Vinyl shutters experience a lot of wear and tear. They fade in the sunlight and harsh weather. Wasps and other insects like to build nests in or behind shutters, often leaving a sticky residue. Over time, shutters can look unsightly and detract from the quality of your house. People are often tempted to throw the old shutters away and replace them with new ones. However, it is possible to clean and paint shutters so that they look brand new.
Instructions
1. Take the shutters down from the windows. This will allow you to do a much better job, and it will make everything less messy. Mark the shutters as you remove them so that you know exactly where they go. This prevents a lot of frustration when you replace them. Keep all the screws together in a cup or tin. Replace the screws if they are old and rusted or bent.
2. Thoroughly clean the shutters. Use good-quality soap, sponges and heavy-duty brushes. Clean off all the dirt, grime and wasp residue. Remove any mildew on the shutters with bleach.
3. Select the right paint. Regular exterior paint does not work well on vinyl. Vinyl expands and contracts in sunlight, and regular exterior paint will eventually flake and peel. The right paint is a mixture of acrylic and urethane. The urethane resin works as a very strong bonding agent that will keep the paint from peeling. Make sure to wear gloves, because it will be tough to get the paint off your hands. It is best to use spray paint.
4. Find a shaded area to paint the shutters. Avoid painting in direct sunlight. This will cause the paint to dry unevenly and you will see the difference. The shutters are easier to paint if you place them on two sawhorses. Set a shutter on the sawhorses and spray using a slow, organized pattern. Inspect it several times to see whether the paint is running. If it is, use a small brush to smooth it out before it settles.
5. Allow the paint to dry for several days. Keep the shutters in a shaded spot while they are drying.
6. Place the shutters back on the house. Inspect the shutters to make sure that you haven't missed any spots. It is not unusual to have a few spots that need touching up.
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