When aluminum gutters become old looking, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are old and need to be replaced. If the gutter system has streaks, has become discoloured, or the paint is flaking, it can make your home appear run-down and uncared for. A fresh coat of paint can add a few more years of life to your aluminum gutters.
Paint/Color Choice
You can use either an acrylic or oil based paint but remember to use the same kind of primer for the base coat as the paint selected for the top coats.
White gutters look smart and crisp but are more difficult to keep that way. Darker colors don’t show marks and stains as easily. Also if you choose a color that is slightly darker than the gutters are now, if the paint does peel somewhere down the line, the spots won’t be as noticeable.
Prep Work
The success of your painting project is the prep work. Clean gutters and downpipes with a soft bristle brush. Gently remove paint flakes, streaks and other types of water marks. For anything that is not removed by soapy water, use a commercial cleaner or add a small amount of bleach to a detergent and water solution. For stubborn stains, apply the solution to the affected area and let it sit for several minutes before scrubbing.
After the gutters and downpipes have been thoroughly cleaned, stand on a ladder to rinse the interior and exterior of the gutter system. Position the hose so that the water flows downward through the gutters like it would if it was raining. Look for seams that leak.
When the gutters have dried, caulk the seams. Use a type of caulking that can be painted. Make sure that the caulked seams are smooth and dry before applying primer.
Ready to Paint
If you are using an acrylic paint make sure that the primer you are applying is compatible. The same goes for using an oil-based paint. Check the manufacturer’s instructions. You might be inclined to let the primer dry thoroughly before proceeding, but some products work more efficiently if left “tacky.” This allows the paint to adhere better to the primer.
Pick a day that is not too hot or too windy. If the house is in direct sunlight for the majority of the day, plan on painting the gutters when it is overcast but not raining.
While the gutters can be painted still attached to the house, it is always advisable to remove the downspouts before painting them.
