How to refinish plastic exterior shutters?

Answer 1

If you have wooden shutters around the windows of your home, you need to paint them every five years or so to keep them looking their best. This isn't all that difficult a task, but you don't want to just pull out a paintbrush and start painting your shutters without going through the proper steps. As you probably know, there is a bit of an art to any sort of painting. Below are some step-by-step instructions on how to properly paint wooden shutters.

• Begin by removing the shutters and taking them to a garage or basement to be painted. You can remove them and paint them one at a time, but you'll probably be better off removing them all at once, painting them, and then putting them back in their proper locations after they have all dried.
• Make sure you clean your shutters thoroughly before you begin painting them. You don't want to paint over dirt or other imperfections, so use some soap and a scrub brush to make sure the surface of your shutters are completely clean before you apply a new layer of paint.
• It's never a bad idea to scrape off the previous layer of paint with a metal scraper, but this isn't completely necessary if the surface is smooth and you are painting your shutters the same color they were previously. Just make sure you use the same type of paint (oil or acrylic) that is currently on your shutters. It's a good idea to use two coats of paint on each shutter.
• Once the shutters have dried completely, you can put them back on your house.

By following these simple steps, you should be able to effectively paint your wooden shutters without hiring a professional and without taking up an entire weekend. You'll be surprised at how just much newly-painted shutters can enhance the way the entire exterior of your home looks.

Answer 2

Plastic exterior shutters are a popular choice for adding architectural detail and color to buildings. Perfect for home or office, these shutters are inexpensive, easy to install and able to be painted over and over again to update the color palette or simply refresh it. However, these shutters are also prone to severe weather conditions. From direct sunlight and heat to freezing rain and snow, exterior shutters are subject to weather, dirt and debris, and every few years they need to be refinished in order to keep them looking their best. The good news is, refinishing these shutters is as simple as some cans of paint and a little elbow grease, by following these simple steps.

1)

Remove the shutters from the wall.

Painting the shutters in place is possible, but it is really easier to do a good job if they are taken down first. Simply remove the screws, discarding any that have become bent, stripped or rusted.

2)

Clean the wall behind the shutters.

Take this opportunity to brush off the brick or siding behind the shutters. Likely, this area is filled with spider webs, abandoned bee or wasp nests, leaves and other debris. Use a long handled broom to sweep the area clean.

3)

Clean the shutters.

Wash the shutters with soapy water; a mild dish detergent or degreaser works great. A pressure washer can be used, but it must be set to a very low setting to avoid damaging the plastic. The shutters need only be cleaned of surface dirt; the new paint will cover any stains.

4)

Paint the shutters.

While the exterior shutters can be painted with a brush, it really is much easier to paint them with a can of spray paint. One can of paint will do four to six shutters, depending upon how deep the color is. While any sheen can be used, satin is a good choice for cleanability without too much shine.

5)

Reinstall the shutters.

Once the paint is completely dry (usually after 24 hours), reinstall the shutters. It will probably be necessary to replace a number of screws that are not fit for reinstallation. Purchase screws that are made of aluminum or stainless steel, so they do not rust. After the shutters have been re-installed, spray one quick dot of paint onto each screw head for a professional finish.