About Paintable Switch Plates

When you are redecorating and you are changing the switch plate covers, it’s very hard to find new switch plates in the exact match for the new color of your painted walls, or even a color that will compliment the color of the painted wall.  So, why not just paint the switchplates with the same color of the new wall paint?  Well, it’s not that easy, as sometimes the paint will not stick very well to the plastic or metal switchplates.

One of Arnev Products, Inc's. products specialize in pre-primed metal paintable switch plates that are all mid-sized to cover up any old paint or wallpaper marks on the wall that may have been there for years, without you noticing it until you pulled that old switchplate off the wall.

Here is how these look with a pre-primed smooth finish

Are you a crafter or artist with a special design or faux finish in mind?  These Pre-primed Paintable Metal Switch Plates have a ready to paint smooth black primer coating for that special color or texture you desire, or to cover with wallpaper. All switchplates come with pre-primed screws, also ready to paint.

Some tips on painting

• Be sure to wipe off the switchplates with a solvent, or paint thinner to remove any light surface oil before you start painting.
• We like to recommend that you take the plates off the wall and lay them on a large piece of cardboard.
• You can use either a latex or and oil based paint on our paintable switch plate covers, however oil based paint is a bit more durable.
• No need to apply a primer, as they are already primed and ready to paint.
• We recommend that if you are using a spray paint, to start with testing how to do this with several light coats on the back side of the plates to first get the technique to a comfortable level.  Also do the same if you are using a brushing technique.
• Be sure to let the paint dry before the next light coat of paint, and it’s always better to give 2-3 light coats, rather than one heavy coat so you can eliminate any runs on the wallplate cover.
• It is a good idea to punch the screws into the cardboard and stand them  with the heads up and paint all the screws at the same time.

All our switchplates are referred to as a mid-sized part. They are a bit larger than the standard size, but not over-sized. Having them a bit larger usually covers up any irregularities that could have occurred when the dry wall was cut for the electrical box openings, which does occur quite often. Also, this would cover up any outlines, or paint or wallpaper color differences left by the old light switch cover. However, they are not so over-sized that they don't fit into the space usually allotted for the standard sizes.

These are available in all the “Hard to Find” configurations, and are all in stock items and ready for immediate delivery at Arnev Products, Inc., or 800-260-1181.