If your gutter started to look worn and dirty or if you notice that the paint started to peel it is time to re-paint them. Painting your metal or aluminum gutter is a pretty straightforward task you can do yourself provided that you have time and that you are not afraid of heights.
Different Gutter Materials
Steel guttering . The main benefit of steel guttering is that it will last you a long time but can be hard to install if you are planning to do the guttering on your home yourself.
uPVC guttering – UPVC is a very durable choice and can easily be painted to match the décor of the outside of your Manchester home. The price shown is one based on prices that major retailers charge and not that of smaller companies.
Wooden guttering -. Reinforced wood is one, if not the, cheapest option available to you. If buying in bulk, reinforced wood can be bought cheaply, but will require replacing after a few years – this type is mainly used for design purposes.
Cast iron guttering -Similar to steel, cast iron is incredibly long-lasting and tough, lasting decades. The downside is that it is more expensive and is heavier and more difficult to install then lightweight alternatives. If you do choose cast iron guttering, a professional will need to fit it for you and check your walls can cope with the weight.
Copper guttering – The best thing about choosing copper for the guttering on your Manchester home is that it can easily be molded if you have specific guttering pipe shapes in mind. As a material, it is quite durable but might cause a few problems during the colder months.
Painting Your Gutters
Painting Metal/Aluminum Gutters
There is a misconception that it is difficult to paint metal gutters as the paint might not stick but this is not true. Not only can you paint metal gutters but it is also very easy to do it. There is no need to call for a professional to paint them if you have held a brush before and you are comfortable with heights.
In order to paint your metal rain gutters successfully, you have to follow several steps and this way not only you will not need to replace them but you will also avoid the cost of professional painters.
Determine Whether or Not You Need to Remove Gutters to Paint Them
Before starting working on your gutter it is worth considering if removing a part of the system will make the job easier. If you are painting the whole gutter, removing the entire system is not practical even though you can do a better job. Unfortunately when it comes to the downspouts, leaving several spots untreated will have a big impact on the aesthetic of your home as they run down the side of your home.
You will face the same problem when repainting only a section of the gutter system that has been damaged. If you are not comfortable working on heights, the best solution is to remove the gutter section by section and paint it on the safety of your grounds. Leave the gutters where they are only if you feel 100% comfortable and have performed a DIY job before.
STEP ONE: Clean Your Gutters Thoroughly
The reason many people fail to paint their metal gutters is that they try to apply the paint directly on the metal. You cannot apply the paint directly to them. You have to prepare them first.
Clean Your Gutters
You need to properly clean your gutters before applying any paint with hot water and soap. Pressure working will not work before applying the primer as it only removes some of the grim and you will end up painting on the top of it. The result will be to paint the gutter unevenly while it will start to peel off after some time.
All dirt needs to be removed before applying the primer. You will also need to remove any dirt and grime embedded deep within the structure. Use a bristled scrubbing brush and with circular motion wipe away any dirt and debris you can as it builds up in the foam.
One the gutter has been cleaned properly, inspect the surface for any scratches or protruding indents. If you notice any of these spots, sand them down with aluminum oxide or silicon carbide sandpaper. When the surface is clean and smooth then it is time to apply the undercoat.
Remove the braces of your gutters
In order to give the gutter a unanimous look, you will have to remove the braces and paint even the hardest to reach spots. Brush carefully the braces first and then paint them too and leave them dry.
STEP 2: Apply Primer
After cleaning your gutters and leaving them dry for an entire day you can start applying a coat of primer. The undercoat acts as a preparatory coating on the guttering surface, increasing the stickiness and durability. The primer is absolutely necessary otherwise the paint itself might deteriorate the gutter itself. When painting your aluminum gutters use either clear acrylic bonding primer or regular oil-based. Both of them will do provided that they are ammonia-free. Most professionals use clear acrylic bonding as it works better.
STEP 3: Leave The Primer To Dry
After you have finished applying the undercoat to the entire gutter and checked and made sure that you have left any spot, it is time to let it dry for 48 hours. Do not touch it before it dries completely otherwise it will not accept the paint well enough and it might cause your problems.
(Optional) Apply Enamel Paint
If you have more time to spend and you are looking to add extra protection to your gutters you can also enamel paint. Enamel paint is used for coating surfaces that are outdoors to protect them from temperature variations. It dries to a hard glossy layer that is very durable. Do not confuse enamel paint with” painted enamel”, which is a totally different material that does not help protect your gutters.
Step 4: Apply an Aluminum Appropriate Paint (with Weather Protecting) Properties
Once the enamel has dried it is time to start painting. Buy high-quality 100% acrylic paint (without ammonia which reacts w/aluminum). You can also choose UV-protectant paint for better protection but this is not necessary as aluminum has a low risk of damage from UV rays. Benjamin Moore of Behr sells this kind of high-quality paint. You can use either a sprayer or a brush to apply the paint. While many homeowners might prefer spay painting as the paint is applied more evenly when the gutters are attached to the roof you need to be extra careful to protect yourself and the interior of the house from excessive paint. Spraying makes more sense if you remove the gutters otherwise using a brush with a long handle is both safer and quicker.
A few words of advice. Make sure to check the weather forecast before you start painting your gutters as extreme weather conditions will make it difficult to work while they might also affect the final result. Pick a week with a zero % chance of downfall or very high temperatures.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Gutters are an important feature of every property and affect the aesthetic of your house. You should paint them only when cleaning them fails to bring them almost back to their original condition.
Yes, you can paint aluminum gutters, provided that you prepare them properly. You can even choose a different color. If you do everything the right way the paint will last for many years. However, if you just try to paint them without cleaning them thoroughly and applying a primer, the paint will faint and peel off in months.
Gutters can be painted with a brush or sprayed, only after removing all the dirt and rust with a wire brush. You can also use a rust converter that acts as a primer to neutralize the rust
As a general rule, paint the roof, gutter, and fascia the same color. Avoid using a highlight color for the downpipes as they will stand out. Try to use the same color around your house for external materials like porch tiles, window awnings, pathways, and your fence.
Heat, moisture or a combination of both affect the adhesion between the paint film and surface, resulting in the paint lifting from the underlying surface. This is how blisters or bubbles occur.
References
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Guttershttps://weatherguardgutters.com/how-to-paint-aluminum-rain-gutters/
https://www.fixr.com/costs/aluminum-gutters-installation#aluminum-vs-other-gutter-materials
https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-paint-aluminum-gutters-part-1
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/refinishing-old-house-gutters-23317.html
