Painting Outlets

mobiledynamics

Dare I entertain the idea....but if I scuff up outlets, and then prime and paint them (managing not to get any into the holes).....do you think the paint will adhere to the outlet for the long term.

Brushjockey

I have done it many times- but better not to. Or just do the plates- not the receptacles. The plugs will easily chip, as will switches.
Also either use a harder finish than a wall finish ( satin and up), or clear coat .

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Evstarr

Long term? Not so much. Really depends on who and how often plugs things in. Lol

mobiledynamics

For the look I'm going for....looked at everything, lutron, leviton, u name it....
Can't seem to find a good color for it - hence the idea of painting it.

I dunno. Let me try one, paint, then stick a plug in it and see how the ad hock pookey abrasion tests go...

Sir MixAlot

I have painted outlets and switches several times before. What I do is take a piece of cardboard and cutout a square hole right in the center of it. Then I spray (lightly) the outlet or switch with kilz primer in a can. Next I'll spray with a can of whatever color I want with a semi gloss sheen.

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Brushjockey

I still recommend doing just the plates- and take them off to do.

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"It's better to come here with questions before you screw up than to come here after and ask how to fix them."- JS

sdsester

You know, the outlets take a beating when you think about it.

But here is how I did them up to the end.

Use a plastic primer or paint for plastic. There are still not many options but Krylon Fusion, in rattle cans, comes in a bunch of colors. Rustoleum has a product too but it does not come in so many. What Rustoleum does have in rattle cans and quarts is a plastic primer you can cover with anything.

If you us the primer the "World is your oyster" in theory.

I do agree I personally what try to live with the generic white, cream, brown and black they come in and find coverplates.

Gymschu

Have also done this many times, mainly for apartment/rental repaints. It DOES work! A shot of Kilz or any type of bonding primer works. We often did it to change outlets from ivory to white. Hardest part is cleaning them before painting.........make sure you shut off breakers and then use a stiff nylon brush or gentle scratch pad to remove caked on dirt.

mobiledynamics

I have not gotten around to actually grabbing a outlet out of the garage to see if the front plastic face/plate can be taken off easily.
IF so, I do think that painting them, maybe shooting them with clear and then a mild wetsand scuff ( I prefer the matte look) might be the winning ticket.

Otherwise, I'm sure any outlet can be paintable - whether it holds up due to usage is a whole nuther story..

Brushjockey

Clear is the last coat...

__________________
"It's better to come here with questions before you screw up than to come here after and ask how to fix them."- JS

sdsester

Ignore him. This is the same guy that continually post pics, asks for comments and then posts another saying he meant it to match. Totally different in all cases. My fave are his actual job pictures. That never match.

We are being baited and played by this person. I am done.

If he wants to see if he can figure out how to remove a coverplate from an outlet and you other bubbas want to explain in detail how? Help him and play along.

He doesn't want to paint his $.39 outlet. He wants and needs attention and to be entertained by us.

mobiledynamics

I use comm spec or industrial grade outlets. I have also bought Lutron outlets only to find out they use a cheap ass outlets and put a matte coverplate on it. I used regular industrial grade Hubbell duplex recetacles and put the Lutron coverplate on it.
Served both the quality of a outlet and the color that matched the Lutron switches..

Some times you have no choice like the Nova T outlets, which are custom directly to the plate.