Is it possible to safely paint electrical outlets?

Question

I recently painted one wall red and my outlets stick out like white lights.  Anyone have a solution?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Take the outlet plate off the wall and paint it.

William · Answer

Turn the power off to the outlet. Remove the cove plate. Use a little paint on a brush and lightly dry brush the outlet so not to get any paint in the outlet holes. DO NOT USE SPRAY PAINT. Paint the outlet cover. Replace when dry and turn the power back on.

Johnchip · Answer

I always paint right over all outlets and fixtures so they blend in.  Who wants  anyone to see them? There is no need to remove them at all, just roll right over or brush over, no need to jam the brush in.

Lynne · Answer

You could cover the outlet cover with wallpaper.  It would compliment the red color and the various colors of fabric in your room.

Zeke · Answer

As said before, ensure the electrical power is OFF to the outlets before you remove the cover plates, then make sure that no children or curious pets are near them while you have the cover plates off.

(Now would be a good time to replace the covers with new ones, so you could purchase new ones and paint them ahead of time and have them ready to install).

If you are going to paint the old ones, use a spray paint or other paint that is labeled for plastics, as some other paints will not adhere properly and will chip or peel off with time, creating a hazard for small children or a mess to b cleaned up.

clean the covers completely, make sure they are thoroughly dry  prior to applying paint, and then completely dry prior to (re-) installing them.

William · Answer

Super tips from Lynne and Zeke!

Emily · Answer

You don't need to shut off the power to remove the plate cover.  Just remove it and paint.  Don't do this though if there are small children or animals that might stick something in there.  I never heard of such a thing as  turning off the power, for anything except working on the wiring.  Painted many a room in my time.  You should always remove the plate in painting so you do a neat job.

Kay · Answer

I have used material or paper from pictures from books and mod pough over and they look so customized

Sandra Hellewell · Answer

Rather than trying to paint the electrical outlets and covers, a better (safer) idea might be to use a fabric or paper to decoupage the outlet covers, as others have suggested. If you could find something that contains the red of your walls and the white of your outlets, I think you would get a lovely and cohesive look. I think you could probably paint the outlets if you dry brushed the paint on but I personally, for safety reasons wouldn't do it!

Denise · Answer

Wow! Thanks so much for the detailed advice. My fireplace wall is red and I will be using everyone's tips. No kids to worry about and my dog could care less. Thanks to all!

Glenda Kay Barton · Answer

Is it possible to stick paper inside the outlet and spray paint it ?

Is it possible to safely paint electrical outlets?

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Is it possible to safely paint electrical outlets?

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