You could also find bees, hornets, or other bugs back there. If you are allergic to any kind of insect bites, do not attempt this part of the job.
Keep the surface wet long enough for the bleach to do its job. This means you should wait a few minutes before rinsing the shutters. Make sure to protect your eyes and skin as well as any plants when you’re working with bleach. A long-handle scrub brush can help work the solution into hard-to-reach corners. You can use the brush to scrub the entire surface of the shutter as well.
This is also a good time to scrape or sand away any loose or peeling paint. The cleaner the canvas, the better the finished product will turn out!
You can remove the shutters entirely, but you should do this before cleaning them. If this is your plan, finish the priming and painting and then reattach the shutters to the outside of the house.
Using primer before painting allows better coverage for the top coat, giving the shutter a nice, polished look at the end.
Since vinyl shutters are fairly sturdy, don’t be afraid to sand vigorously to get the surface as smooth as it can be!
Avoid painting the shutter a darker color than it was originally. This would allow the surface to absorb more heat than it was made for and could cause the shutter to warp.
Brands like Purdy, Wooster, and Corona have well-regarded brushes that are perfect for a job like this.
Try to paint as early in the day as you can. If you paint later in the day, the paint might not have time to dry before morning dew falls on it.
Put card stock or painter’s tape in between the shutter and the side of the house to catch excess paint.
Have two feet and at least one hand anchored to the ladder at all times. If someone is available to help, have them stand near the ladder to help stabilize it and act as a spotter.
