Over time, even the most beautiful vinyl shutters begin looking dull and uninspiring to say the least. Particularly, in regions where they’re regularly exposed to extreme weather conditions.

As such, it’s hardly surprising that we’re often asked as to whether it’s possible to paint the vinyl shutters around the home. And if it is, is it a good idea to go ahead and do it.

The short answer to both questions – yes and yes.

It’s not only perfectly possible to paint vinyl shutters, it can also be surprisingly straightforward. Not only this, but these are the kinds of attractive decorative accents to a home’s exterior that can make all the difference. Painting your shutters a contrasting color, for example, could transform the entire aesthetic of your exterior like nothing else imaginable.

For the best possible results, we’d advise hiring the pros. But then again, we’re bound to…being in the pro painting business and all. Nevertheless, if you do decide to go ahead and tackle the job manually, you’ll be looking at a relatively simple six-step process, which looks a little like this:

Step 1 – Prepare the Area

As always, the key to success lies in a comprehensive preparation. In this instance, preparation means selecting an appropriate workspace, with plenty of ventilation and generally warm and dry conditions. You’ll also be needing the necessary personal protective equipment, along with whatever sheeting is required to protect the surrounding environment. Ideally, remove any fixtures or furniture from the arena of combat entirely…just in case things get messy!

Step 2 – Choose the Right Paint

It’s important that you select only the highest quality paint that has been specifically designed for use on vinyl surfaces. If not, it isn’t going to stick in place long enough to dry. The good news being that if your vinyl shutters haven’t already been painted, you don’t have to worry about removal or even priming the surface. Just as long as the paint you choose is of sufficient quality, it can be applied directly with little to no surface prep. If unsure as to which paint to choose, ask your chosen seller for their recommendations.

Step 3 – Remove Your Vinyl Shutters

For the sake of both convenience and the quality of the final result, don’t attempt to paint your vinyl shutters without first removing them from your home. Painting shutters that are attached to a property’s exterior is an absolute nightmare. By contrast, painting them on a flat surface with plenty of room for maneuver can be a walk in the park. Take care not to damage them while removing them, keeping a close eye on all the bits and pieces you’ll need to put them back once you’re finished.

Step 4 – Clean the Shutters

You’ll need to ensure that the shutters are spectacularly clean and dry, before getting started with the painting. In most instances, warm soapy water and a sponge will be more than sufficient to get the job done. A scrubbing brush can be used to remove more difficult dirt and grime, giving the whole thing a good rinse and at least a good few hours to dry completely.

Step 5 – Paint the Vinyl Shutters

Given that you’ll be using spray paints, we strongly advise only ever painting your vinyl shutter outdoors. Even then, you need to take extreme care and wear an approved mask at all times, in order to avoid inhaling the potentially toxic fumes. Also, spray paint has a habit of getting everywhere, so ensure your clothes and everything else in the vicinity are adequately protected. Apply the plaint extremely slowly, one very thin layer at a time.

Step 6 – Allow for Drying

Last but not least, ensure that each respective layer of spray paint is comprehensively dry before applying the next. Likewise, your shutters should be fully dry before you put them back in place on your home. If weather conditions take a turn for the worse, you will need to provide your shutters with adequate protection from the elements until they are dry. If they are still even remotely moist, they need more drying time.

For more information on any of our services or to discuss your requirements in more detail, get in touch with a member of the Homm CPS customer service team today.