How to paint electrical outlet plates to match granite?

Question

The tan outlet plates on the black/tan granite backsplash in my kitchen look awful! What's the best way to paint the switch plates to better blend in with the granite? Kit? Craft paint? What steps? Thanks!

Belinda Todd · Answer

It appears there is black in the granite? If so, I would buy the black receptacle and cover plate and replace it .

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Don't know about Florida, but up here we can buy dark brown at Home Depot. Easier and cheaper than black. That would be my first choice. I've also painted them with primer and ordinary paint - but not in a kitchen where they get a lot of use. Could sand a little, prime with spray on Zinzer 1-2-3 primer and then a spray top coat in whatever colour you like. Top with some poly that doesn't yellow..

861650 · Answer

Have you thought about a 'Faux Finish' with craft paint? Use white printing paper to practice on. Looking at the colors, what about an antique bronze look? Go to your craft store & check out the colors. Or, paint it bronze & let dry. Then, sponge or paint with a soft black. Wait about a minute and lightly wipe off. Let dry. Spray or paint on some type of clear protective coating. Again, you can practice on paper. Another thought-Do you have stainless steel in your kitchen? If so, you may want to consider stainless steel plates. Okay, got another idea that I have used--wallpaper! Wallpaper comes in every type of finish that's ever been invented. I have used it to cover switch plates, small trash cans, decorative boxes, picture frames and kitchen canisters. I even made slipcovers for lamp shades. The options are endless. Hope these ideas help...Have fun!

Dee · Answer

I made a faux-finish for my switch plates by using very thin wrapping paper and basically decoupaging it on. Worked very well and lasted surprisingly long. What I actually did was lay the paper over and brushed over a thinned out application of white glue. If you cut the paper nicely you can wrap the edges under without causing any added thickness, and if you really want to go all the way, use a sponge paint application for the inner plug part.

Bobbie larsen · Answer

there is a granite lookalike contact paper at one of the home stores-I forget if its home depot or Lowes

Sheryll S · Answer

If all else fails, simply turn off the power and tape plastic bags around the plate.... cover a lot of space above, below and around and then tape around it with painters tape and spray paint it.... oh yes, I would get some wooden popsickle sticks to plug the openings and for the grounding, a q tip? RustOleum makes great spray paint.... but plain old black or is that brown? Can not be sure from your pics. IF you want splotches, then you could dab some on.... use spray paint again and spray into a plastic cup old vegetable can and spotch....... just make sure you do very light sprays and yes use a sponge to dab the splotch spots. What do you think?

Susan Mykituik · Answer

Susan Take a photo of granite and print on ordinary paper then decopage the cover.

Christina · Answer

You could buy the color plate in the hardware store. They do have blackish covers!

Barb in Texas · Answer

I spray painted my white plates black 10 years ago to match my dark granite, they still look great. If you want the actual outlets themselves (the plugs) you'll have to swap them out with black ones, but the plates might be enough, it was for me.

CK · Answer

There's a lot of black/dark brown in your granite. I'd just get the dark brown (or black if you find them) outlet covers and switch them out. At Menards or Lowe's they're about 50 cents or less a piece. It'll probably be your easiest and least expensive 'fix'. There are times when trying to hide something that's essential makes sense. Other times, it's one of those 'Hey everybody has them, how much do I really have to 'hide' them?' -) REMEMBER : even if you change the outlet cover, the outlet itself will still have white plug in 'holes'. You'll really have to change those out too if you want to have them disappear. That's also an easy fix and then they'll really disappear a bit more :-) You can paint that part (carefully!) but the more you use the outlet, the more the paint comes off and you'll see the white eventually and that'll show up a lot with your dark backsplash.

Tya · Answer

Take a photo of your counter top & print it out and cover the switch & spray on a varnish you wont even see it afterwords ,,

Myrna Engle · Answer

Sherwin Williams has a huge selection. For any type of wall finish. They aren't cheap. About 8$ ea.

Ella · Answer

There is a lot of spray paints out there, textured etc. mybe one of those would work for your purpose...

Mary Ann · Answer

Thanks everyone! I think I can solve this issue with all your great ideas!

Cynthia Jensen · Answer

Why not paint it black or silver?

Dana Stewart · Answer

plastikote spray paint,loads of colors to chose from.First remove cover,and cut off power supply to the plug,masque off the plug without cover,,and spray the cover separately.Worked on mine for years :-)

Mary · Answer

I used rubbing alcohol and ink refills (I use for rubberstamping) and 'sponged' on the colors that were in my granite. Gives a mottled look like the granite has and then I sealed it with a resin coat. Can't barely see the outlet, blends right in!
Also, you could take a picture of your granite and then transfer that photo iimage to the outlet and seal.

Donna · Answer

I removed my plates and spray painted them with 'hammered bronze'. Adds a nice accent to one of the colors in my granite.

Wglindner · Answer

Take a picture of you counter and print on regular print paper. And decompose it to the switch coat it first let it dry a little bit on put it on it an coat it a couple times.

DIANE · Answer

wall paper samples work great!

MICHELLE · Answer

I sprayed mine with a hammer paint.. I have done so much with spray paint. 2 cans and a room looks like you had a make over. I do the handles on cabinets etc... Even the tooth brush holder and soap dish..

Joann Belcher · Answer

There are clear switch plates out there. Or you could take a picture of your granite and put it on paper and then decopage it onto the switch plate.

Joann Belcher · Answer

google clear switch plates and you will get all sorts of web sites. One is switchplatewherehouse.com. I think a clear switch plate was 4.99, I know it is on the expensive side but you only need a couple. Hope this helps you.

Joe Jones · Answer

With your color granite I would use the oil rubbed bronze spray paint by Rust-Oleum it looks almost black but looks great and I did a lot of switch plates with it clean them with dawn first and no other chemicals and it will stick perfect

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