How to Repaint Rain Gutters

To paint your rain gutters, wait until the weather is mild (between 50 and 90 degrees) and fair, then clean and prime the gutter surface, select a paint, and apply it. It may help to do the painting in sections if you tire or run out of time before finishing. Depending on the weather conditions in your area, you may need to paint on a regular basis. This article assumes that you have metal or wooden gutters. Vinyl gutters cannot be effectively painted.

Ladder
Mineral spirits
Rag
Soap and water in container
Scrub brush
Scraper (if removing old paint)
Latex galvanized-metal primer (for galvanized steel gutters)
Clear acrylic bonding primer or oil-based metal primer
Paint thinner (for aluminum gutters)
Paint (latex or oil-based)
Paintbrushes

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the gutter surfaces. For metal gutters, use a rag dipped in mineral spirits first. For all gutters, scrub with a brush dipped in soapy water.
- 2
  After the gutters have dried, apply the latex galvanized-metal primer if you have galvanized metal gutters (for either latex or oil-based topcoat) or clear acrylic bonding primer if you have aluminum gutters. If you plan to paint with oil-based paint on an aluminum gutter, apply oil-based metal primer diluted with 16 oz. paint thinner per gallon. You don't need a special primer for wooden gutters.
- 3
  After the primer has dried, apply the latex or oil-based paint you have selected.

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