Painting Electric Switch Covers

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Many apartments are painted white or off-white and have little to show for themselves. Now don’t get me wrong; I’m the first person to say keep it simple because once you add color to interiors it could take twice as long to return it to the original. When renting this is often a responsibility of the resident and not of the homeowner. 

 

Nevertheless, if you are a renter or even a homeowner and color is the way you want to go there are many details to consider, one being the electric switch covers on your walls and whether to paint them too.

 

When you paint there is the option to leave them their original color as they are juxtaposed with the new background? You could, though, consider giving them a coat of the same color blending them in.

 

How would you do this?

 

Well, if you’re already painting you have most of the tools available. For the rest, here are some suggested steps:

 

1. Don’t worry about having to deal with any actual electricity because this job doesn’t require it. You are not doing anything inside the wall so don’t feel a need to insert anything in the directions of actual wires.
2. Remove the switch covers from the wall. This will require a screw driver and some careful precision.
3. When the cover is off, put the screws back in the holes preventing their loss.
4. Lightly sand the smooth cover surface. This will help the paint stick.
5. Make sure no dust remains on the covers from sanding. Wipe them well with a clean cloth.
6. Place the covers face up on a clean surface but one you don’t mind getting paint on. If you have some match boxes or similar types of objects you could place them under the covers so when the paint dries it doesn’t stick to the surface.
7. With smooth strokes paint the covers your favorite colors and let them dry. You’ll probably need to do several coats to get the covers looking just right.
8. After the paint has dried on the covers return them to the walls. If the paint has not dried you run the risk of paint dripping into the electrical part of the wall, which could cause problems.