Replies

1. 
   grantlogan | Sep 22, 2002 11:00pm | #1

   Aluminum, galvanized, and copper are all paintable. Wooden gutters are available, mostly in the north east (I've only seen them once in my area), but they appear to be a maintainace headache.

1. 
   Piffin | Sep 23, 2002 12:54am | #2

   ANY gutter is a maintainence headache!

   Wood gutters are common in the northeast. It can be a pain to try retrofitting them into a house that wasn't designed with them in mind though. I oil the insides with linseed and paint the exteriors with the paint before installing. The owner needs to clean them every year (just like every other kind of gutter) and re-oil them every two years and they'll last a lifetime.

   Good painter can paint any type gutter material but vinyl - well maybe vinyl too.Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   goldhiller | Sep 23, 2002 01:44am | #3

   Sure, those metal gutters are paintable. We usually paint them to match and, as a matter of fact, are going to start installing some tomorrow (God willing and the creek don't rise)that we sprayed two weeks ago. We also paint our fascia cladding and drip edge. We try to spray them at least ten days prior to transporting to the site or installing.

   We always use a primer designated as a high tack primer designated for glossy surfaces though and never rely upon painting over the existing paint or primer on any metal surface. On galvanized or aluminum we usually use a zinc chromate primer and on painted/primed steel, we use Zinnser's 1-2-3 primer,Xim, or something of that sort.

   Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
1. 
   SMXSteve | Sep 23, 2002 06:38am | #4

   Thanks for all of the feedback. I got the impression gutters wouldn't hold paint but I'll check into the primer.

   Thanks again,Steve

1. 
   Piffin | Sep 23, 2002 07:19am | #5

   Gutters are a challenge.

   Wet area

   pounding by ladders

   ice and snow

   acid from leaf buildup

   did I mention wet area

   That's why it's better to paint first, when you can do good prep and prime. Hastily applied in place with poor prep and it will be the first paint to fall off the house. Excellence is its own reward!