How to Paint Exterior Plastic Shutters

Remove your shutters from the exterior of your home. It is possible to paint the shutters while still hanging but it will be much easier to clean and paint the shutters if they are on a horizontal work surface.

Clean the shutters thoroughly using a mild soap and water. Use a sponge and a scrub brush to thoroughly clean the shutters. The top layer of the shutters is likely to be damaged from sun exposure. Remove this top layer with elbow grease and a stiff-bristled scrub brush. Allow shutters to dry.

Choose the right paint. Visit your local paint store for exterior paint that will work with vinyl. Ask for the same paint that the store would recommend for vinyl siding. Vinyl and plastic swell and contract with heat and cold, meaning that the paint you use should accommodate these changes to make it more durable. For example, Sherwin Williams claims their product with "VinylSafe" Technology allows you to paint darker colors on vinyl siding without worrying about warping or buckling." Valspar also has a product called Medallion that is recommended for application on vinyl.

Paint your shutters using a good quality brush. Use light, even strokes to avoid brush marks. Apply two to three coats for complete coverage, allowing paint to dry between coats.

Re-hang your shutters. Use a small brush and paint to touch up any areas that were damaged while hanging the shutters.