Painting over electrical outlets
SwissCarpenter
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I’m wondering how much of a no-no it is to paint over electical outlets. Here’s the situation, I’ve got a rental property where the prior owner managed to paint over some of the electical outlets, wiped them off (kind of) and theyre all almond colored. Bottom like they look awful. Normally I’d simply replace them, but due to the number of them and the quick turnaround needed to get it rented i’d prefer not to. My idea is just to make a simple mask out of 1/8 masonite and Krylon them. The question I pose is how safe is it to use a solvent based spray on them? Is there a specific NEC code that prohibits this practice?
Replies
I hate outlets that have been painted over. I think they look awful.
I'd replace the covers with enw ones, and scrape off what paint I could from each outlet.
Yep, replace the covers; but first turn off breakers, hit the outlets with a bronze wire brush in drill motor to clean.
Wait, wait, it appears to be a low income rental - dont bother doing anything, leave as is ... are not the swiss noted for sloppy work in rentals?
2005 NEC 110.12
(C) Integrity of Electrical Equipment and Connections.
Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars,
wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, shall not be
damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as
paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues.
There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect
safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment
such as parts that are broken; bent; cut; or deteriorated by
corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.
If the room ws spray painted, code violation, if brush or roller, no code violation.
Spraying with a can of Krylon would violate the code.
Let the sleaze renters live with whatever is there.
Definitely replace any outlets where paint has gotten into the slots, or is in danger of being "dragged" into the slots by a plug. Otherwise, if it's brushed-on paint it's purely an aesthetic issue.
Do not use spray paint anywhere near the outlets unless the openings are completely masked.
Not Safe
The spray paint (solvent, water based, whatever) will enter the holes and cover the conductive surfaces (contacts). This will increase resistance and FIRE can result at worst. An intermittent or non working outlet would be the typical outcome.
Don't make them worse with more paint. At least get some latex gloves and start wiping them with mineral spirits to get the old paint off. The mineral spirits needs to soak a little to soften the paint so get a rag wet and wipe each, then repeat as often as needed to keep them wet until the paint starts coming off - don't spend too much time on any one, just wipe with a clean wet cloth and move on to the next.
If the paint doesn't start coming off after 5 - 10 minutes switch to Goof Off paint remover, which is much more aggresive.
Goof Off is apt to damage the plastic and corrode the contacts. I would at the very least be VERY careful using it, if I dared use it at all. And the stuff is expensive enough that it might be cheaper to just replace the outlets.
If used correctly Goofoff doesn't corrode anything or hurt the plastic. It can damage plastic if allowed to sit in contact with it for a long time, but that's not what we're talking about - it should be applied and wiped off within a matter of minutes.
In the time you waited for the first response, you could have done the job- right.
As a tenant, I hated finding receptacles covered with paint. The cause was always the landlord being cheap. Either he used unlicensed contractors or hired bums from the home center parking lot. Turn it around!
It's always nice to hear from a wanna-be slumlord.
Its not a point of being cheap - its time
Guys, thanks for the advice. I ended up doing a thorough cleaning of them and installing new almond plates where warrented. A dry scotch-brite did the trick.
Also whats up with the instant and automatic comments of "cheapness" or "slumlord"? 99% of times I replace dirty or old almond colored outlets with fresh white ones when I paint between tenants or acquire a new property. I literally had 5 days to get the whole house repainted, carpet pulled and the house thoroughly cleaned before my new renter came in. Yes, I'm Swiss - we're frugal but also put high value on clenliness and decency. Thats how I manage to have happy tenants and retain them on long term leases.
The "cheap" is in not taking
The "cheap" is in not taking the 15 seconds per outlet that it takes to mask them before painting.
Not saying you did this, but someone did.