by Jan Lazor

Created on: August 01, 2011   Last Updated: August 02, 2011

Whether you want to paint the whole exterior of your house or just refresh its appearance by adding a new coat of paint to the trim and window sashes, one thing is certain. If your house is adorned with metal shutters, they will also need to be painted to make them look new again and protect them from weather damage.

Painting metal shutters may seem daunting, but with proper planning and preparation, the job can be accomplished with a minimum of effort. A quick visit to

http://www.diynetwork.com will take the stress out of the preliminary preparations and help get the job done quickly and smoothly.

If  possible, remove the shutters from the house. It will be easier to clean and paint them if you don’t have to worry about paint dripping onto the siding underneath the shutters.

You will need a screwdriver to unfasten the shutters from the house. Depending on how they are attached, you may also need a wrench. If you plan to reuse the nuts and screws, make sure you have a secure place to store the hardware after it has been removed.

When the shutters are on the ground, examine them for peeling paint and rust. If you find spots that need to be sanded to remove rust and paint, make sure you wear protective goggles and a face mask before you begin scraping the surface. Use a brass bristled brush to scrape away the superficial rust and loose paint.

Now that the surface is free of loose particles, use an oxide sandpaper to smooth the metal. When the surface rust has been removed, prepare a bucket of soap and water. Use a large sponge or rag to wash dirt and debris from the shutters. Rinse with a garden hose and stand the shutters in a sunny location to dry. Cleaning away dirt, mold and mildew that has built up on the metal will insure the paint will stick to the shutters and not bubble or flake off the metal shortly after the paint is dry.

When it comes to actually painting the shutters themselves, using a spray paint system or aerosol can works best to apply a smooth even coat of paint to the slated design of your shutters. Besides providing a smooth, even finish to each shutter, a paint sprayer makes quick work of the chore.

If you have to rely on the brush and pail method of panting the window decorations, never fear. Time and patience will get the job done. Begin by applying a base primer coat to the metal. Choose a nylon bristled brush for latex paint. If you are using oil-based paint, select a brush with natural bristles. Choose an angled brush about the width of the slats. This will make it easier to hand paint the shutters.

Latex paint is easier to clean-up than oil-based paint, but oil based paint provides more protection from moisture than latex paint. If you want to make sure you don’t have to paint your shutters every year, you may want to fore go the latex paint and use oil based paint for your metal shutters.

When the paint is dry, reinstall the shutters, using the salvaged hardware or if you choose to do so, replace new screws. Step back and admire your spruced up looking home.

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