Painting Plantation Shutters Correctly

If you really feel you must paint over the glorious patina of your richly lacquered plantation shutters please think again as it almost feels like a crime to me, but if you must then this is the procedure by which you will achieve the best results

First Remove Plantation Shutters from The Windows
As you take down each shutter, use a pencil to mark or number each shutter on its top most edge. This will make it a much easier task to replace each shutter back into its own position once it has been painted we are performing this procedure because the shutter hinges although they may appear to look like they are all in exactly in the same position and in fact they may possibly even be similarly aligned but as a precaution because minor differences often do exist ,and failing to put each plantation shutter back precisely where it came from will produce alignment issues to say the least.

Next Remove the Hardware.
Please do not try to paint around the hinges. A much better quality and professional looking paint job will result by spending a little time removing all the hinges and other hardware fitments It would be a clever move at this juncture to make note of what fitment was removed from which shutter . This is also a good opportunity to assess the condition of all the hardware, if it is in poor shape you may wish to replace it.Be careful also to put all your screws and hardware in a container with a lid, so you do not lose any of them ,remembering of course where you put that container .This is also a very good point in time to evaluate the condition of your shutter hinges.

You should always Clean your Plantation shutters before painting them .

As with painting anything you will want to clean and prepare the surface of your plantation shutters to better take the coat of paint you are just about to administer to its surface. Surfaces dependent on the room they are situated in generally contain dust, dirt, or grease which if not adequately removed will drastically increase the chances that your paint will not stick to the surface of what ever you are painting or a very poor looking paint job will be the result . Don’t be tempted to use Liquid Sander products that are often found at your local hardware store. Liquid Sanders will clean and degrease the surface of the shutters. and supposedly to chemically sand the surface of the wood . Generally speaking, it’s advisable to steer clear of liquid sander products they are often unreliable and can damage the wood by discoloring the grain or going too deep and pock marking the surface. If you’re going to repaint shutters , all you need to do is lightly sand using 220-grit sandpaper. This will roughen up the surface without causing pockmarks. Take your time about it after all you want the best results you once made a significant monetary investment in these plantation shutters we don’t wish them to be devalued by shoddy diy skills now. There’s no need to press down too hard, just sand until all the surfaces are slightly rough to the touch so all the glossy sheen has been removed Next, wipe down the plantation shutters using a damp cloth to get rid if dust and debris, here depending on the environment the shutter has lived in I sometimes use a product called TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) it is very cheap, it is a great cleaner to keep on hand as it comes in handy for many household tasks not just for cleaning wood prior to painting ,although that is the task for which it was specifically designed. The cleaning process is an important aspect that can not be stressed enough paint has a hard time adhering to very shiny or slick surfaces so a gentle sanding is important if you wish to risk a liquid sander, upon your own head be it, do not ever say you were not warned . I know that using this stuff is a great temptation ,and much easier and much faster than using sandpaper and elbow grease but remember your investment.

Priming Plantation shutters

After cleaning and de-glossing, but before painting takes place I recommend a priming coat. Applying a water based paint on top of an oil based paint or lacquer, or vice-a-versa is asking for problems. That is why it is recommended by most professional painters to first apply a water based primer . These water based primers are specifically created to adhere to what ever kind of coating is already on your plantation shutters, and to provide a base coat for your paint to stick to.

What ever you do DO NOT use a paint brush to paint plantation shutters there are very small crevices on each side of every louver and the frame that holds them. Applying a paint with a brush WILL fill these gaps. it is these gaps that allow your shutters to move freely if paint is allowed to dry between these gaps your plantation shutters will no longer open or close with ease ,and in the very worst cases the louvers will cease to move at all . Even if you could manage to be careful enough with a paint brush to prevent this from occurring with a brush it will take you forever and a day and even then chances are you will not be happy with the results.

So Spray Paint your plantation shutters.

There are many more paint colors now available in spray paints ,the colors are by no means as limited as they once were so the rainbow is your palate, the easiest method for the average home owner is to apply your primer and paint from a spray can, unless of course you happen to be an expert with a paint gun. But with the correct spraying technique you can get just as good a finish from a spray can as the pros do with a paint gun

Spraying Techniques For Plantation Shutters .

Ensure you are in a very well ventilated room or better still weather permitting work out doors, and always wear a mask. Hang the shutter by screwing a couple of eye hooks into the top of the plantation shutter. Fasten string or picture wire from the eye hooks to a sturdy support, on still calm days when there is no wind to blow pollens or dust I hang my shutters from the washing line , it provides clear access to the shutter,from all sides

If you have never spray painted before I suggest you utilize a piece of cardboard to make a couple of practice sprays to get the hang of things . First vigorously shake the spray can for roughly a minute or until you can hear the metal ball bearing that is inside the can for the purposes of stirring the paint rattle. Every once in a while even while you are painting You will need to shake the can to redistribute it
The biggest mistake most people make when spraying for the first time is holding the can in one position for too long You need to keep the can moving all the time that you are spray painting . hold the can approximately 10-12 inches away from the plantation shutter all the time moving the spray can smoothly either horizontally or vertically make sure that the can is in motion before depressing the spray nozzle to start painting ,or you will create heavy patches of color or drips in the paint. When you are ready to stop spraying release your finger from the paint nozzle while the can is still moving. Remember, anytime you are spraying, the can should always be moving.

we are using a spray can rather than a brush because there are some really tiny intricate parts to plantation shutters that do not lend themselves to brush painting .
These parts are:

* inside of the stiles
* ends of the louvers / or slats
* the area of the louvers directly behind tilt rods
* all of the louvers / slats
If your not sure where or what these parts are see the diagram on the what are plantation shutters post

Inside the Stiles.

The stiles are the vertical parts of the shutter frame which house the louvers . If your shutters are made correctly, there will be a tiny space between the stile and the louver (roughly. 1/32″). Usually during the course of spraying the rest of the shutter panel, their is overspray that usually lightly coats the inside of the stiles. But if the older paint is hugely different in hue from the new color being applied , you may find you have to lightly apply primer and paint to the inside of each stile. If that is the case, make sure the louvers are in the fully open position. Lightly spray the inside of the stile from both front and back. Then position the louvers at roughly a 45 degree upward facing angle and also lightly spray the inside of the stile from that angle too. Lastly, position the louvers in a downward facing 45 degree angle and paint the inside of stile from that angle also . Remember we are not applying heavy coats of paint. Multiple light coats and a little patience is the order of the day this will produce much better results in the long run and without producing runs or drips.

Painting Ends of louvers or slats.

Move the louvers into the fully open position. There are four places where the louver extends forward and behind the shutter frames.While faceing the side of the shutter panel. From top to bottom use one complete and fluid vertical motion to lightly spray paint all of the louver ends in each of the four panel sections. Avoid spraying each louver individually by holding the can in a stationary position ,this will only cause excessive paint to build up.

Painting The Area of louvers directly behind tilt rod.

Before spraying this area we need to spray the front of the tilt rod. Manouver the louvers to their full open position.With a top to bottom motion lightly cover with spray paint the front face of the tilt rod. Next, position the louvers to a 45 degree upward facing angle turn the tilt rod to the left and then from top to bottom in one complete motion lightly spray all the louver sections directly behind the tilt rod. While doing this you will also be lightly covering the left side of the tilt rod. Next, position the tilt rod to the right and repeat spraying process. Finally, position the louvers at approximately a 45 degree downward facing angle and repeat the spray paint process.

Painting Louvers or Slats of Plantation Shutters

Start with the rear of the plantation shutter panel. Place the louvers in a 45 degree upward facing angle , again employ a single even motion from top to bottom to lightly coat the sections of the louvers that are immediately adjacent to stile, both on the left and right sides. From left to right use one fluid motion to lightly spray paint each louver. Start moving the spray can, then begin spraying the louvers from beginning to end , when spray painting the louvers on the front side of the shutter panel, treat the area of louvers left and right of the tilt rod as two independent sections. When moving the can left to right do not spray over the tilt rod.

By now you should of completely covered most areas of your plantation shutters with a thin layer of paint if their are still unpainted areas paint them as always with one continuous fluid motion .I always choose to paint two or three or sometimes even more plantation shutters at one time to allow layers of paint to dry between coats and prevent paint build up in any areas of the plantation shutters .

That’s about it, good luck painting those shutters guys