If you’re looking to improve the curb appeal of your home, refinishing your outdoor shutters is a quick way to do it. Repainting or staining your existing shutters is an easy job that can save you a lot of money, and make a big difference in the appearance of your home.
Prep Work
Before you can begin refinishing your outdoor shutters, you’re going to have to do some work preparing the surface for new paint or staining. The easiest way to work on your shutters is to remove them from the house. This way you can turn and angle them into the most convenient positions. The shutters need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanded before new paint or staining can be applied.
If the shutters are made from wood and are being left in a natural state, the old staining needs to be sanded away before the wood will accept new staining. If your shutters are painted, the old paint that is flaking needs to be sanded away, and all of the painted surfaces need to be roughened a little with sandpaper so the primer will bind to it. Even if your shutters are vinyl, they can still be painted if you roughen the surface first with a sander.
A Coat of Primer
Before you apply a new coat of paint, it’s always a good idea to apply a coat of primer first. This will give your paint an even surface to adhere to, avoiding any surface flaws that may be present. Some paints are a paint/primer combo, but most of the time this process will need to be done in two separate steps. Place your shutters on a drop-cloth in a workspace where you’ll be comfortable working so you can get full coverage without worrying about overspray or paint splatters.
Spray Painting Tips
One of the easiest ways to get a nice, even coat of paint into all the nooks and crannies of outdoor shutters is to use spray paint, instead of a brush. You will need to remove the shutters from your home before they can be spray painted. Here are a few tips to help your spray painting go more smoothly:
- Apply primer before the spray paint, especially on vinyl shutters.
- Set your shutters up in a spot where you can have overspray without damaging other items.
- Use sweeping motions to apply the paint, extending beyond the edge of your shutters. So, if you’re spraying from top to bottom, start spraying arc from slightly above your shutters, and end slightly below them.
- Use an aftermarket spray paint handle to hold your can. This provides more stability than holding it by hand does.
- Try wet coating for even coverage. This is where you spray one light coat over the entire surface, then immediately follow up with a second coat to fill in space completely.
If you take your time and make sure you have the right tools and your shutters are prepped, repainting your shutters is a simple way to really boost the curb value of your house.
