How to Paint Boring White Plastic Outlet Covers
Imagine an electrical socket cover or a light switch plate: what color is it? If you’re thinking plastic and either white or off-white (either by design or layers of dirt), you’re not alone.
For some reason, they tend to be a minor decoration of the home. We’ll take the time to find the perfect paint color, cover the socket with painter’s tape, and carefully paint the room, and those white plastic rectangles and squares will remain. But it shouldn’t be like that.
Sure, you can go out and buy new, prettier socket covers and switch plates, but instead of wasting money and wasting time choosing something, you can also paint those ugly whites to match the rest of the room. Here’s what you need to know.
How to paint plastic outlet covers
First, the bad news: plastic socket covers and light switch panels must be removed before painting. It’s annoying, but it usually only takes two screws to remove. Once they’re off the wall, here’s what to do next :
- Clean outlet caps with a mixture of warm water and TSP or Dirtex. (If you don’t have these on hand, warm water and dish soap will do.)
- Dip an abrasive sponge into the solution and wipe the outlet cap with it, which will clean it and start the scrubbing process.
- Dry the outlet cap, then use 220 grit sandpaper to finish sanding it.
- In a well-ventilated area, apply a coat of spray primer. Let dry according to primer instructions.
- Apply a thin base coat of paint. If the goal is to paint the walls to match, use the same technique (i.e. brush, roller or spray) on the outlet covers. Let the paint dry completely.
- Hold the painted socket cover against the wall you are trying to match. If the color is not dark or saturated enough, apply another thin layer of paint. Let it dry completely, then check if a third thin coat is needed.
- Don’t forget to paint the screws.
- Seal the painted outlet caps and screws with a clear, durable protective coating such as liquid varnish. Let it dry completely.
Be careful with the screwdriver when attaching the newly painted outlet cover or light switch plate to the wall so as not to scratch your work.