How to Paint White Aluminum Guttering

Cleaning the gutters for paint.

White aluminum gutters are the most common type of gutter installed on houses. Often the color scheme of the home isn't white which requires that the gutters be painted. Sometimes new gutters are installed to replace damaged gutters or perhaps the paint on the existing gutters has faded. It is relatively easy to repaint or freshly paint aluminum gutters with good, long lasting results.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Bucket
• Dish washing soap
• Nylon bristle scrub brush
• Sponge
• Hose
• Old towels
• Clear acrylic bonding primer
• 2-inch angled paint brush
• Paint shield
• Exterior latex paint

Instructions

1. Place a ladder close to the gutter. Wash the aluminum gutters on your house as if you were washing your favorite car. Use dishwashing soap, water, scrub brushes and sponges to remove all of the dirt and debris. Since you are painting over the gutters it is okay to use a nylon scrub brush.

2. Rinse the gutters using a garden hose. It is very important to remove all of the dirt since paint will not adhere to the dirt.

3. Dry the gutters with old towels and rags. It is likely the old gutters will now have a chalky appearance. This is normal.

4. Prime your gutters using a clear acrylic bonding primer. Do not use any primer that has ammonia in it as the ammonia has a reaction with aluminum that causes the paint to bubble. Use an angled paint brush to prime the contours and corners of the gutter. Hold a paint shield against the house to keep from priming areas that should remain paint free.

5. Paint your gutters using a high quality exterior latex paint in the color of your preference.

Tips & Warnings

• Tinting your primer will assist in transforming the color of your gutter to your finished color. Most paint companies are happy to tint primers for you.

References

• Ask The Builder: Aluminum Gutters Can Be Painted