How to you paint aluminum rain gutters & downspout?

Question

I have had some gutters and a downspout replaced. The new ones are glossy white and made of aluminum. What do I use to paint them with the same latex house paint I used for my house exterior. Specifically, do I need some kind of undercoat or primer prior to the finish coat?

Answer 1

The white paint that is on aluminum gutters is baked on at the factory.

Aluminum gutters don't rust (where did that guy go to school?)

You will need to prime them to get your house paint to adhere to the gutters. If you just paint over them the paint will peel within a year. You have to use a special primer made to paint aluminum. It ain't cheap!

Why don't you just leave them white and save yourself a lot of work?

Answer 2

yes latex primer and finish

Answer 3

First, thoroughly clean the surfaces to be painted. Either pressure wash or clean with a soft scrub brush.

You will need to paint them with an oil based paint. Oil paint will stick better and is self leveling, so if you brush it on you won’t see the brush marks. However, I would recommend masking the area around the gutters and down spouts and spray painting them, using thin coats to prevent runs in the paint. You will get better coverage and it will take less time.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Don't use latex paint on aluminum surface. The is an oil base paint you can but that's made to paint over aluminum gutters and downspouts. Most likely you won't need to use a primer unless there is rust. As a house painter for many years this is the right way to do it.