what is the best way to paint light switches and plates?

Question

I have already tried to "just paint it" and it gets all gummy and sticks to which every position you paint it in,I have left it in the same position for days and it still did the same thing. I have painted and then removed and then repainted four times now, and still the same or it runs and one side it thicker. I am so frustrated my walls came out beautiful, but...... please only answer if you know what your taking about, thank you

Answer 1

Prime the plate and switches first with "Zinser's Bulls-eye 1-2-3" ( or equivalent, ask at your local paint store ). You can paint plastic, metal, fiberglass or just about anything if you have primed it with this stuff first. Don't glop this on or the paint, just paint a nice even coat, and make sure it dries completely between coats of primer and paint. Good luck.

Answer 2

The best way is to use spray paint. Lay it on a flat surface with cardboard or something under, and spray even light strokes (dont use to much or get it too close, it will run)
With spray paint it's best to apply several coats after each coat dries, rather that one thick coat once.
Also, spray paint comes in a variety of colors and textures (hammered is a really cool effect, or speckle)

Answer 3

1)Remove the plate with EXTREME CAUTION
2)Remove any previous paint left on the plate using thinner
-->Make sure the thinner doesn't melt the plate
3)Apply primer for more sturdy coat
4)Spray Paint or hand paint in a low humidity cool room
5)Store in a cool dry room until dry
6)Reattach plate

-Please be careful, electricity and paint chemicals are dangerous

Answer 4

You could sand and then primer before you paint and it will stick on another idea is wallpaper (I have wallpapered so many but you have to find the one that matchs your decor. Another is buying wood plates in beautiful oak, mahogney,teak and eta. Hope this helps! How about model plastic car paint? You probably could find it at a hobby store!

Answer 5

Sorry you can't paint light switches, as you found out it gunks them up. Plates can be spray painted with Krylon but that wouldn't exactly match your decor.
If you go to a large electrical supplier they can order switches and plates in a larger selection of colors. Think of them as accents. Try these websites:
www.leviton.com
www.mulberrymetal.com
Look for wallplates. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Angle176 : what you should do take off those switchplates
then take a used news paper and lay them down flat on it
also use enamel paint only. Of course light switches so leave alone!

Answer 7

Uhm............you don't paint light switches and covers! You have a choice between white, beige and brown (for switches); that's it.
Buy decorative plates if that will help.

Seriously, you thought you could paint light switches? Try painting a doorknob too. It won't work.

Cruel to be kind.

Answer 8

Yeah, purely replace them. not purely do you get that crisp new look, you purely saved your self a headache of placing out the paint. scrapers value an similar as 4 gentle swap covers.

Answer 9

sand it or just slap a coat of paint primer on it, then it should stick as smooth as it did to the walls.

Answer 10

use sand paper and sand the finish off of the plates and prime them with a primer and then paint.