How to Decorate an Outside Wall Electrical Conduit

At the same time, if the conduit is left a metal silver color or a plastic white or gray and those colors are not even close to the color of your home, the conduit may stand out and detract from the appearance and curb appeal. Decorating conduit can be as simple as painting.

Metal Conduit

1. Apply mineral spirits to a rag and wash the outside of new metal conduit. Wear rubber gloves. Many types of metal conduit have an oily residue from the manufacturing process and this oil will inhibit paint adhesion.

2. Brush off any existing dirt and debris, old paint or rust with a small wire brush. This is particularly important if the conduit has rusted at the edges or if it has been painted several times and has peeling paint. Remove anything loose or dirty so that your new paint will adhere well.

3. Sand the conduit with a medium-grit sandpaper. Press the paper around the conduit and sand briskly if you need to remove old paint or rust. For new conduit, sanding will give the surface a little more bite and help the primer adhere to the metal.

4. Mask off the conduit from the house using painter's tape and plastic sheeting.

5. Shake your primer well and spray the conduit using short, even strokes. Allow the primer to dry 15 to 30 minutes. Shake your paint until it is thoroughly mixed and spray the conduit in thin coats. Allow the paint to dry between coats for 15 to 30 minutes. Apply at least three coats. You may want to apply additional coats in high-moisture areas to protect the conduit for a longer time.

Plastic Conduit

1. Scrub plastic conduit with a nylon bristle brush, soap and water. Dry the conduit completely.

2. Sand the conduit with medium-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface of the plastic slightly. This will allow the primer and paint to adhere better to the conduit. Mask off the conduit using painter's tape and plastic sheeting.

3. Spray primer onto the plastic conduit. Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the primer to dry. Spray on paint designed for plastic, using even strokes. Apply two to three coats or until the color is uniform.

Tip

Try to match the conduit to the color of the siding, brick or stone closest to the conduit.