Can You Paint Your Gutters?

When you think of things that make your house visually attractive, you probably think of a manicured landscape, bright green lawn, clean siding, etc. Your gutters are probably not at the top of that list, especially if they’ve become dingy and dirty. So how do we fix that? You paint your gutters, of course!

Can You Paint Your Gutters?

If they’re metal, yes. Paint sticks especially well to aluminum, which is the most common type of gutter material due to its durability. You can get your gutters looking brand new with just a few simple steps.

  1. Remove the Old Paint: Aluminum gutters will already have a layer of paint on them which you’ll have to remove with a scraper in order to properly paint your gutters.
  2. Clean the Gutters: Remove any debris from inside them, and use grout sponges and a mix of soap and water to wipe off any grime on your gutters. This way, your paint will stay fresh longer.
  3. Rinse the Gutters: Make sure to wash off all the soap and flush out any remaining debris to make sure water can flow out your gutters easily.
  4. Prime Them: Make sure to wear safety gear, and use ammonia-free, oil-based primer so it doesn’t react negatively with the aluminum.
  5. Apply Enamel: Wait about 48 hours for the primer to dry, then apply an oil-based enamel. It’s recommended that you use satin or gloss enamel since they are nonporous and will allow water to slide off your gutter easily.
  6. Apply a Second Coat: Once your first coat dries, apply a second coat.
  7. Paint the Gutters: When you’re painting your gutters, make sure to go back in between coats to catch any drips that may have happened. You should also remove and separately paint the braces so each gutter has a uniform paint job.

Before you paint your gutters, you can avoid having the clean them out by having gutter protection systems installed. Keystone Gutter Helmet has been providing the Reading, Pennsylvania area with the #1-rated gutter system for over 30 years! For more information or to get a free quote, call us at 610-372-4383.