Can you paint gutters, and should you?

Prep by material

• Aluminum. Wash off the chalky oxidation with a degreasing cleaner, rinse, let dry, and scuff the surface lightly with a fine abrasive pad. Prime with a bonding primer labeled for aluminum or metal, then apply two coats of 100 percent acrylic exterior paint.
• Galvanized steel. New galvanized metal carries an oily residue that makes paint peel. Clean it thoroughly and use a primer rated for galvanized surfaces. Do not put an oil-based alkyd straight onto galvanized metal; the zinc reacts with it and the paint lets go. Spot-prime any rust first.
• Vinyl. Clean and lightly scuff, then use a paint line with colors formulated as vinyl-safe. Very dark colors absorb enough heat in Georgia sun to warp vinyl.

Timing in Georgia

Humidity and morning dew are the enemies. Paint when the gutters are dry, the temperature is within the range on the can, and no rain is expected for at least a day. Late spring and early fall are easiest. Paint only the outside faces; paint inside the trough wears off quickly and flakes into the downspouts.

Should you paint at all?

Paint makes sense when the gutters are straight, tight and leak-free and you simply want a new color. It is a poor investment when seams drip, hangers are pulling out, the gutters sag, or you are replacing the roof soon, since gutters often come down during a roof replacement anyway. A brushed finish also commits you to repainting every several years, while pre-finished aluminum coil keeps its color far longer. Check the gutters as part of your seasonal maintenance, and see gutter sizing and seamless gutters if replacement is on the table.