{"id":1871,"date":"2021-05-08T10:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-08T14:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/?p=1871"},"modified":"2024-02-28T10:52:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T15:52:41","slug":"how-to-paint-gutters-downspouts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/how-to-paint-gutters-downspouts\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Spray Paint Gutters & Downspouts (Picture Tutorial!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wondering if you can paint your gutters and downspouts to make your old gutters look new again? Well, look no further because here’s your answer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gutters and downspouts can be painted using exterior paint or spray paint. For maximum paint adhesion, clean the inside and outside of the gutters thoroughly using a pressure washer before painting. After the paint has dried, apply a clear topcoat to increase the longevity of the newly painted gutters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it’s really that simple, but the results are astounding! When we bought our 1950s Ranch, everything was orange and brown… two colors I despised… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So when we decided to switch the colors of the house to gray and black, we had to change the color of the gutters from brown to white. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then this tutorial was born ! Follow along to transform the color of your gutters to a more favorable one as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Navigation: How To Paint Gutters & Downspouts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Blow Out Debris With Leaf Blower<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Pressure Wash The Inside & Outside Of Gutters<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. (Optional) Repair Damaged Gutters<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Paint Gutters With Spray Paint<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Apply A Top Coat To Gutters<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Other FAQs About Painting Gutters & Downspouts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Level Of Difficulty<\/th>Time To Complete<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Easy<\/td>6-8 hours<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Material List<\/th>Tool List<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    16 cans of Rustoleum spray paint<\/a><\/td>Pressure Washer<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    6 cans of Rustoleum clear spray pain<\/a>t<\/td>Leaf Blower<\/td><\/tr>
    Drop cloth<\/td>Comfort grip spray gun<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
    Painter’s tape<\/a><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step One: Blow Out Debris With Leaf Blower<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first step to painting gutters and downspouts is to blow out the debris with a leaf blower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Or you can also use a pressure washer to blast out the debris.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"how
    The leaf blower gets most of the gunk out so the pressure washer can more easily get the finer, more caked-on gunk.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Personally, I prefer to use a leaf blower to initially blast out the bulk of the debris, then follow up with the pressure washer because it’s easier to clean up the debris later.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Depending on how long ago it rained for you, the debris will mostly be dry, so it’s not a muddy, stinky mess when you blast it out. That means when it’s all blown out of your gutters and off the roof, it will be easier to sweep up and dispose of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, if you blast the debris out with a pressure washer, then you’re definitely going to make a muddy mess. (And the debris tends to smell strong when it’s wet. Not my cup of tea haha!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But either way gets the job done. Choose whatever works best for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Start at one end and blow all of the debris toward the other end and off the roof. Continue around the house until all gutters are cleared of debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once the debris is out, it’s time to move onto the next step!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step Two: Pressure Wash The Inside & Outside Of Gutters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The next step to painting gutters and downspouts is to pressure wash the inside and outside of the gutters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Were you wondering how to clean gutters before painting? I was wondering too, and after cleaning our gutters, I’ve determined pressure washing is the best solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The best way to clean gutters before painting is to use a pressure washer on medium pressure (1500-2000 psi) to remove dirt, algae, and debris. If a pressure washer is unavailable, then the next best option is to hand scrub gutters with a gutter cleaning solution and rinse with clean water.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yes, now I like to break out the heavy-duty pressure washer because it will blast out the fine dirt particles and caked-on algae that is much harder to try to scrub off by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is the Generac pressure washer that we have. It is fantastic because of that PowerDial that allows you to change pressures with a simple turn! <\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"how
    Generac makes awesome pressure washers!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead of needing different pressure washers with different psi’s to get the job done or having to constantly switch out the nozzles to achieve a different spray and pressure level, I just turn the dial and can keep working. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That was a total gamechanger in making any of my pressure washing projects go faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, I don’t think they make the model we own anymore, but <\/strong>this model found at Amazon<\/a> has 2900 psi max and 2.4 GPM (very close to ours) and the PowerDial is on the wand instead of the front of the machine. It’s the version that I would buy today if my current pressure washer went bad.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"how
    Close-up view of the gutter cleaning process.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For our gutters, all we needed was this pressure washer to get them spotless. However, if you are still having trouble getting some of the grime off of your gutters, then you should use <\/strong>this gutter cleaning solution found at Amazon<\/a> to help remove some of the gunk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Spray it on, let it sit, and scrub it off to help make the gutter paint preparation process easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For a more in-depth tutorial on how to clean gutters with a pressure washer, then you should check out my article here<\/a>. It’ll help you determine how frequently you should be cleaning and performing routine maintenance to make your gutters last for decades to come!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"how
    Cleaning your gutters with a pressure washer is fast and makes them look brand new!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whichever way you clean your gutters, just make sure you allow plenty of time to make them spotless. Even the smallest amount of dirt can cause the paint to flake later, so really take the time to get this part right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, it’s best to paint the gutters within a day or two of cleaning so that they are fully dry and still clean of debris when you start your first coat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now that we’ve got the gutters looking spotless, it’s time to move onto the next step!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step Three: (Optional) Repair Damaged Gutters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The next step to painting gutters and downspouts is to repair any damaged part of the gutters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since we’ve taken the time to thoroughly clean the gutters and prep them for paint, we might as well fix any problem areas so our gutters and paint job will last for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of these repairs can include fixing bent gutters, patching holes or removing rust, re-attaching loose gutters and downspouts, and more.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, if your gutters are in good shape, then we can move onto the next step!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step Four: Paint Gutters With Spray Paint<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The next step to painting gutters and downspouts is to paint the gutters with spray paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yay, we are finally onto the important part. Painting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, to do this part fast and flawlessly, I highly recommend using Rustoleum spray paint. We used <\/strong>high gloss white spray paint found at Amazon<\/a>. Not only will it help you paint faster and make it easier to get within the cracks of gutters, but it will also allow you to get a much more flawless finish than a paintbrush ever could.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Plus, it will stop and prevent rust from occurring in the future, which is a big win if you already have some rust on your gutters.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"how
    There’s no way I would have been able to spray paint these gutters in one day without this comfort grip spray gun.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I also highly recommend that you invest in one of these comfort grip spray paint guns found at Amazon.<\/a> After spray painting for hours straight almost, my hand was feeling it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, the blistering and soreness were minimal compared to if I had to have sprayed the gutters with the normal nozzle! (I did spray a section of the gutters like that, and nope, my hand would have given up after hour two haha!)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, wear gloves to minimize blistering if you decide to paint all in one day as we did.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Painting all of the gutters in one day was 100% worth it because everything was able to dry before any unwanted weather came through, and we got it over with in one go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But I will say, doing it all in one day isn’t for the faint of heart. So no worries if you need to spread the project out across a day or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How To Paint Gutters Flawlessly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To paint the gutters and downspouts flawlessly:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n