How to Paint Plastic Outlet and Switch Covers

Many houses, especially new homes in subdivisions, have white outlet and switch covers throughout the house. This is fine when your walls are white, but can be unattractive when floating in the middle of your bright or deeply colored décor. Who wants a glaring white plastic switch plate as the focal point of their living room wall? Read on for a simple way to help those outlet and switch covers blend right in to the surrounding color.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean painting tarp, preferably cloth
• Flat head screwdriver
• Dust cloths
• All-purpose spray cleaner
• Dish soap (optional)
• Old dish towel (optional)
• Fine gauge sandpaper
• Latex or plastic painting gloves
• 1 1/2 to 2 inch paint brush
• 1 qt. paint--the same color and type as walls
• Roller tray

Preparation

1. Spread tarp out on floor. You'll use one end for sanding, the other for painting.

2. Remove outlet covers from wall using screwdriver. After removing screws and covers, put the screws back into their place in the outlet. This way there are no loose screws to keep track of.

3. Bring outlet covers to one end of the tarp. Wipe off all fingerprints and smudges with cloth and all-purpose cleaner. Alternately you can wash with soap and water and then dry with an old dish towel.

4. One at a time, lightly sand the surface of the covers using the sandpaper. You just want to take off some of the smoothness, so that the paint will adhere. Don't forget the edges.

5. Use the soft dust cloth to remove all dust from the covers. Alternately you can rinse them with water and then dry with a towel.

Painting

6. Stack sanded and cleaned outlets on the opposite, dust-free end of the tarp. Put on gloves.

7. Open paint and pour a small amount into the roller tray.

8. Dip paint brush in paint and carefully remove excess by brushing back and forth over the angled area of the roller tray. You don't need a lot of paint on the brush.

9. Pick up the first outlet cover and carefully paint the edges. Use a light coat and try not to get a lot of paint on the back. Quickly brush away any drips. Don't worry about any streaks; this is only the first coat.

10. Carefully place outlet cover, face-up, on a clean area of the tarp. Then lightly brush on the first coat. You can hold the cover in place by placing your fingers in the openings. You can always lightly touch up any missed spots from where your fingers may have touched.

11. Use smooth strokes, in the same direction. This helps prevent noticeable brush marks in the finished product.

12. Repeat steps 4-6 for the remaining outlets. Follow the paint manufacturer's guidelines for appropriate drying time.

13. When outlets are dry, repeat steps 4-7 to apply a second coat.

14. When second coat is dry, lift outlet and switch covers from tarp one at a time. Do not stack. (See Tips and Warnings section).

15. Screw outlet and switch covers back into their places on the walls.

Tips & Warnings

• When outlet cover paint is still a bit tacky, carefully shift the outlets to a new place on the tarp. The painted edges can stick to the tarp, and it's easier and less damaging to move them when they are not completely dry.
• If you are painting several outlet covers, place the first painted rows away from you rather than close by. You don't want to keep leaning over freshly painted covers to work on the next row.
• When cleaning painted outlet covers, use gentle cleansers and don't rub too hard. Eggshell and semi-gloss finishes will resist smudges and hold up to cleaning better than flat paints. I used a high-quality, eggshell paint on the outlet and switch covers in a home office and, after five years of frequent use, they are still in perfect condition.
• Do not paint the actual switch or outlet! Getting paint into the electrical mechanisms can be dangerous, and will interfere with function.

Resources

• Find paint supplies at Sherwin-Williams
• Get painting tips at Ace Hardware