Faded Vinyl Shutters and Siding What Is an Effective Vinyl Shutter Cleaner? I have vinyl exterior shutters that have faded severely. Is there any product that can be applied to these shutters to restore them to their original color? The color is solid throughout with just the surface having faded. I'd rather not go through the hassle of washing, sanding, priming and repainting the vinyl shutters, as that kind of defeats the purpose of having maintenance-free vinyl shutters. I tried a product called Nu Vinyl, but that lasted only one season. Any help would be most appreciated. Product Cleans Vinyl Shutters You are in luck. There is a product by the Flood Co. that is specifically made to renew shutters. It is a two step process, but it looks very easy and the results are supposed to last for years. Flood usually makes good products, so it would be worth it to take a look. Lowe's or Home Depot would probably have it, or look on the Flood Co. website. Gray Trailer Home with Shutters photo from Shutterstock

WD-40 As Vinyl Shutter Cleaner A friend of mine was told to use WD-40. She said it worked great. I would try it on a small spot first. Don't Use Shutter Cleaner, Check the Warranty Has your warranty expired? Some siding products have a lifetime warranty and this would include fading problems. If you know the name of the manufacturer, contact them. I know that my husband, a siding installer, has replaced whole houses where the siding has faded and the homeowner was not satisfied with the "new" color. The manufacturer refunded the homeowner for the labor and materials. Don't forget to use the ebates cash back site and receive cash back on all of your purchases. Apply the Proper Primer The problem is that paint does not want to stick to plastic. When I was restoring my son's Camaro recently, the plastic covered bumper needed painting. Regular primer doesn't work, so the body shop manager suggested that I go to a NAPA parts store and buy polyurethane primer ($6 a can) for the plastic surface of the bumper.

After priming, regular paint should stick to the shutters. Take the Next Step Could spending 5 minutes reading a newsletter twice a week save you time and money every day? Dollar Stretcher Tips readers think so. Subscribe and find out how many ideas stretch your day and your dollar! Subscribers get a copy of our ebook Little Luxuries: 130 Ways to Live Better...floor steam cleaners irelandFor Less for FREE.best way to remove old tile adhesive from wall More Money-Saving Tips for Your Homebest way to clean filthy linoleum floor 6 cheap, effective home security solutions 5 frugal ways to expand your living space Top 10 DIY mistakes made by home 'handymen' 10 things you don't want to get caught doing in your garage

Natural homemade toilet cleaner Holding building contractors to their promisesThis week's Readers' Tips Should I use a HELOC for home remodeling and repairs? Find the best mortgage rates in your area 3 ways to use a mortgage calculator Mortgage calculator: Calculate your payment and more Home equity calculator: HELOC vs. line of credit How much can additional payments save me on my mortgage? Who offers the most home insurance discounts?Skip to main content. Home Guides Home Home Improvement Home Painting How to Clean Vinyl Plantation Shutters So They Don't Spot Vinyl plantation shutters provide a unique look to your home. They cover the window completely, and the horizontal shutters tilt open to allow sunlight in. The vinyl material used to make plantation shutters is easy to clean and maintain, but sometimes spots can be left behind from minerals in hard water or cleaning residue. Distilled water doesn't contain minerals that can leave spots, so it's a good choice for cleaning and rinsing items that spot easily.

Fill a bucket with 1/2 gallon of distilled water and add a few drops of mild dish detergent. Dip a soft cloth into the cleaning solution and wring it out. Clean both sides of the shutters starting at the top and working your way down. Rinse the cloth in the bucket as you go. Fill a clean bucket with 1/2 gallon of distilled water. Saturate a cloth with the water and wring it out. Wipe the the plantation shutters with the cloth to remove any detergent residue. Dry the shutters with a clean cloth. Things You Will Need Bucket Distilled water Mild dish detergent Soft cloths Tip Warning References Hunter Douglas: Designed For Easy Care and Cleaning Suggest a CorrectionPoorly-maintained shutters make your home look old and dated. Vinyl shutters are an economical and low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood shutters for adding depth and visual appeal to your home's facade. Although vinyl shutters come pre-finished with integral color, sun exposure can cause this color to fade over time.

Instead of shelling out big bucks for brand new shutters, consider painting your existing vinyl shutters to give your home a fresh, new look. Clean Shutters First A thorough cleaning is key to a successful shutter paint job. While power or pressure washing may seem like an effective cleaning method, washing shutters by hand serves is the best way to ensure a clean surface. Start by removing any mildew or mold using a solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Protect your eyes, skin and landscaping when working with bleach. Once you've removed any mold, clean the shutters using a solution of tri-sodium phosphate and water, or the detergent of your choice. Rinse the shutters and allow them to dry completely before proceeding with paint. Pick the Right Paint If you apply regular exterior paint to your shutters, it's likely to peel or fail. Standard paint products simply aren't designed to accommodate the high level of expansion and contraction associated with vinyl. Instead use a 100-percent acrylic latex paint, or look for products made with acrylic and urethane resin that are specifically designed for painting vinyl surfaces.

While specialty vinyl paints don't require a primer, using a latex primer can increase adhesion and minimize peeling when used with acrylic latex. Choose Colors Carefully When painting vinyl shutters, it's important to choose a paint color that's similar to the one on your existing shutters. Changing from a light to a dark color, or making any dramatic color change can dramatically affect the amount of heat your shutters absorb from the sun. A big change in heat buildup can lead to excessive expansion and contraction, which can cause shutters to twist or warp. Try to stay in the same color family when painting vinyl, and never go from a very light shade to a very dark one. Use Correct Technique Paint your vinyl shutters on a day when the temperature falls between 50 and 90 degrees, and avoid painting in direct sunlight. If you leave the shutters on the wall while you paint, protect the surrounding surface with painters tape before your begin. Choose a nylon or polyester brush measuring 2 to 2-1/2 inches wide for best results.