Which Paint Kind Is Best For Plastic External Shutters?

When painting vinyl shutters, use a high-quality exterior acrylic latex paint or a paint made specifically for plastic. Priming the shutters with a latex primer before painting can increase adhesion and allow better coverage by the top coat. Acrylic paints are generally more resistant to cracking and have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them an environmentally friendly choice.

Start your painting project by pouring thoroughly mixed paint into a bucket and dipping a quality 2″-2½” wide nylon/polyester brush into the paint. When working outside, it is best to work out of direct sunlight and when using latex paint on plastic surfaces. Remember to choose your color wisely, as this can greatly impact your home’s overall appearance.

Mauro chose an exterior paint in Hale Navy for the shutters, manufactured by Benjamin Moore. Other materials for this project include respirators and drop cloths available at home centers and paint suppliers. Start off with a primer, then use 100 acrylic exterior paint for the best result. Be mindful when choosing darker colors as they are more susceptible to trapping heat and eventually warping the vinyl.

When cleaning vinyl shutters, clean the back well, sand lightly, apply a coat of UMA and then a coat of good exterior acrylic. Use a paintbrush to fully clean the shutters. If using a bonding primer, Rustoleum universal bonding primer should be used first. I painted mine last year with an exterior krylon primer and paint, doing three coats of a dark wine color because my house is white.