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05th Sep 2012

Ten steps to… improving your house: How to spruce up those gutters

Cleaning and painting your gutters will do wonders for the overall look of your gaff - while also adding a few quid to its name. So here's how to do it in just ten easy steps.

JOE

Cleaning and painting your gutters will do wonders for the overall look of your gaff – while also adding a few quid to its name. So here’s how to do it in just ten easy steps.

Cleaning up the gutters on your gaff will give your house a much fresher look and a lick of paint will seriously help it’s overall appearance. Here’s how to spruce up those gutters in just ten easy steps.

What you’ll need:

Water
Detergent
Gloss paint
Owatrol oil
Sugar soap
Paintbrush
Clean cloth
Easy Surface Prep solution

What to do:

Step 1: Clean those filthy gutters

The first step in making your gutters glisten like a freshly polished car is to give it a good thorough clean with soap and water. Now, you’re going to have to clean all the gunk and grime that’s built up on them over the year(s) so you might want a set of rubber gloves. It’s also advisable to give them a scrub

Step 2: Apply the ESP

The next step in tackling those filthy gutters is to apply a healthy dose of ESP to them. ESP, or Easy Surface Prep solution, allows paint to stick to any plastic or super smooth and slippery surface, so don’t be afraid to apply liberally.

Step 3: Play the waiting game

Hopefully you won’t have picked a rainy day to start your paintwork, as you’ll need to wait two hours for the ESP to dry. Best to stick on the kettle and throw the feet up until then.

Step 4: Mix your Owatrol oil

Owatrol oil helps your paint to stick to PVC gutters along with the ESP. It involves some mixing so take your time and get the mix right. You’re better off taking your time and getting it right on the first attempt rather than messing things up and starting all over from scratch.

Step 5: Apply the Owatrol oil

The next step is easy; just apply the Owatrol oil to your gutters. It’s best to apply Owatrol oil before you apply your base layer and main layer of paint. This ensures that the paint sticks evenly and doesn’t look like you got your two-year-old toddler to do it.

Step 6: Apply your under coat

Next, apply an undercoat of gloss paint (the shiny stuff) in the colour of your choice. Just remember that white might look cool, but it also shows up the dirt a heck of a lot quicker than black or grey. But it’s up to yourself.

Step 7: More Owatrol, please…

Before you apply a second coat of paint make sure to apply another coat of Owatrol as instructed above.

Step 8: Final coat

Once the Owatrol dries up you can begin on your second, and last, coat of paint.

Step 9: Last inspections

Before you finish up give your gutters a good going over with the white gloves and fine comb. Make sure you haven’t missed a spot and if you have, give it another going over.

Step 10: Appreciate your work

Finally, sit back and admire your finished work and take solace in the fact that it won’t have to be done for another year. You might be lucky and get a few years out of it.

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