Preparing Your Gutters For Fresh Paint

The gutters on your roof lead a hard life. While the gutters themselves are usually made from tough plastic or steel, the harsh sun and rain takes its toll on the paint they’re coated with. If that sounds familiar then you could ask a house painter Brisbane to take care of the issue, but painting gutters is DIY-friendly and it’s a project you can tackle yourself.

If you’d like to give it a go then we’ve put together a few simple steps to help you prepare your gutters for fresh paint!

1. Clean Out the Gutters

Gutter painting always starts with clearing leaves, sticks, dirt and other debris out of your gutters. Gutter debris holds onto dirt and water that can cause metal gutters to rust over time. Even if your gutters aren’t rusted or leaking, the water and dirt trapped by clumps of debris could make its way into your fresh paint job, ruining your hard work.

2. Repair Any Problems

Clearing your gutters should give you plenty of time to inspect them for signs of rust, leaks and other damage. All of those problems will need to be fixed before you begin painting. Leaking seams need to be resealed, rust patches need to be cut out and any loose gutter hangers need to be replaced.

3. Remove Cracked, Chalky or Loose Paint

You’re repainting your gutters for a reason, and there’s a fair chance that some of the existing paint has begun to flake away or turn chalky. Flaking, chalky, cracked or loose paint will stop your fresh paint work from adhering properly, so it needs to go.

Removing old paint work can be done with a wire brush and putty knife. There’s no need to remove every bit of the original paint if some sections are in good condition, just get rid of anything that could cause your new paint work to fail.

4. Sand the Existing Paint

This step is optional and isn’t always necessary, but you may need to sand the remaining paintwork on your gutters. Sanding with a coarse-grit paper will create lots of tiny little grooves on the surface that help the new paint stick better. If you’re painting over steel or aluminium gutters then sanding is a good step to ensure you get the best possible result.

If you’re painting over plastic gutters you’ll need to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on the paint products you are using. Some plastic paints call for sanding while others don’t, so check before you start working.

5. Clean the Surface

Whether you sand the gutters or not, you’ll need to thoroughly clean every surface that’s getting painted. A pressure washer can make light work of cleaning your gutters. Otherwise, use a stiff brush with water and mild soap to clean the surface. If you come across any stubborn marks like tree sap, you may need to use touger soaps and scrubbing pads to get the surface clean.

Rinse the gutters with fresh water to remove any soap residue after washing. Allow your gutters to dry completely before you begin painting.

6. Mask Off

Whether you’re painting the rest of your house or not, it’s a good idea to mask off anything you don’t want to get paint on. Simple masking tape will be enough to protect the walls of your home from accidental brush marks. Don’t forget to keep an eye on what’s beneath you on the ground. Paint can be hard to clean off surfaces like brick paths or concrete driveways, so make sure to lay down a drop cloth to catch any drips.

7. Use a Quality Primer

You’re almost there! You can now begin painting your gutters. It’s always a good idea to start by applying a primer. A coat of primer will seal the surface and help your top coats of colour adhere properly. The higher quality the primer you use, the better the final result will be, so don’t scrimp on the investment. Just make sure you’re using an exterior-grade primer that’s compatible with the materials your gutters are made of. Plastic, steel and aluminium gutters all need to be primed with the right products to ensure the paint sticks. Ask a house painter Brisbane for help if you need advice on choosing the right paint for your gutters.

8. Apply Fresh Gutter Paint

The final step is to apply your new paint. Just like with the primer, it pays to invest in a high quality, exterior-grade paint system. Quality paints can last for decades when they’re applied properly, so you won’t find yourself up a ladder touching up the paint every weekend. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions on applying top coats. You’ll want to use at least two coats of paint, but you may need to apply more if you’ve chosen a colour that doesn’t cover very well like red or terracotta.

And that’s it, you’re finished. You can now stand back and admire a job well done!