Do it Yourself: Re: [DIY] Painting electrical outlets?

26 April 2016

Re: [DIY] Painting electrical outlets?

Im not sure this is a major issue. What about choosing an off-white to paint the walls, and using the brown outlets as a contrast. Who says it has to be white on white?

We have a world of colors to choose from with painting. Find a complementary color to brown and make it serve as a tasteful contrast...

Frank

On Apr 26, 2016, at 10:08 AM, "Mike Shoaf mike.shoaf@yahoo.com [DoIt_Yourself]" <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

They aren't that cheap anymore if put in to code. NEC now requires tamper proof outlets, AFCI protection in living areas, etc. Not sure how much the code is enforced in your area, but these extra protective device cost more initially but might save someone's butt in the right situation. Please do not paint them!

On Tuesday, April 26, 2016 9:51 AM, "Aki 01dyna@gmail.com [DoIt_Yourself]" <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

hmm..definitely don't paint over outlets. They won't last long anyway. I agree, if it's the outlets and not just the outlet covers, it's a little more effort (and cost) but certainly not
a hard thing to do.

On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 9:32 AM, Jerry Hnidy jhnidy@gmail.com [DoIt_Yourself] <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I don't think that the op meant covers. But IIRC outlets are only one dollar at menards.
J Hnidy
Samsung Phone
On Apr 26, 2016 9:00 AM, "Aki 01dyna@gmail.com [DoIt_Yourself]" <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I've never seen painted outlet covers that looked any good unless you spray paint them or wall paper them (either one can be tedious). Spray painting them will look good but
can chip or peel later on.

Really, they're really cheap to replace. Certainly not worth the time/labor costs to have a Master Electrician do it at their labor rates. A 10 pack from Home Depot is a $1.98. Removing and installing new covers is, literally, one screw and a two minute effort.

-aki

On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 8:06 AM, 'oakridgefarm@gmail.com' oakridgefarm@gmail.com [DoIt_Yourself] <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Thanks Mike, I'm pretty sure he's through installing the outlets. Not sure offhand how many he just put in but there are a lot of outlets down there. His fee is one of the highest of all the contractors who are working here, due to the labor involved. They have to figure out how to get the lines to the new appliances, lights and outlets where there has never been any - as well as rewiring and installing a new box. I know the outlets in the ceiling haven't been touched, and he may not even be using them…..but they had such a rough day yesterday I'm not sure I have the courage to mention it. It isn't really anyones fault, the old ones were already brown, I didn't explicitly state I wanted them white and when he was explaining why he had to install a few where he did last night I didn't even notice they were brown. Not even the framer we had to call in to help noticed they were brown and he knows we're painting all the shiplap etc white. I know the outlets themselves aren't too expensive but the labor is. They are both master electricians, no gophers on the job.

Jan Flood
oakridgefarm@gmail.com

On Apr 26, 2016, at 6:42 AM, Mike Shoaf mike.shoaf@yahoo.com [DoIt_Yourself] <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

ask the electrician how much it would cost to do the remaining ones in the color you pick and how much to change the ones already installed. generally they all cost the same to buy. you can change the installed ones later yourself if you are careful. the very last resort would be to paint them!

On Tuesday, April 26, 2016 6:59 AM, "'oakridgefarm@gmail.com' oakridgefarm@gmail.com [DoIt_Yourself]" <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

All the outlets here were brown - and at 3am this morning, I realized all the new ones the electrician is putting in are brown — but the walls will all be white. There are way too many to have him replace them, what is the danger of using a good paint and carefully painting them. They asked if we were going to sheetrock over the tongue and groove walls that are already in, and I said no, would just be painting them white. But none of us picked up on the fact he was installing brown outlets. I'm afraid to even mention it to him. We can change them out over time but not all at once.

Jan Flood
oakridgefarm@gmail.com