Install switches and outlets before or after paint

[jgorm]

I'm getting closer on final inspection. I have **** loads of insulation (R30 behind R19 on the outer walls), and they finished drywall yesterday. I'm going to spray the inside. I'm wondering if it's better to install all the switches and outlets (minus the faceplates) and tape them, or just spray the wires. My thought is that it's better to install them and tape them to limit how much paint gets in there. Anybody have a preference?

I'm also wondering if anyone has a preference on finishing plywood that is inside the shop. The outer walls are 3/4 ply and I'm thinking i'll patch the cracks between the boards, and spray that too. I wouldn't bother patching over the nail holes.

 

[Gerald O]

Just make yourself a spray mask on a stick that you can hold over the outlet boxes when you spray that spot.

 

[n8n]

I prefer to install, leave the cover plates off, and tape, but that's just me. I'm definitely not a pro.

If nothing else, that removes the possibility of greasy paw prints on the wall from leveling the devices...

 

[Todd.Brock]

I would stuff some paper on the box or something to fill the space and cover the wires. If you install the devices and just tape, you will still get spray on the sides. I would think a plastic grocery bag stuffed in there would catch most of the paint.

 

[Rod N]

I'm in the process of re-painting my OSB walls in my garage. Caulk, prime, paint.
The previous owner had sprayed the walls with the boxes open and wire exposed.
Although they did not intentionally spray into the boxes the spray found it's way in there and it looks very unprofessional in my opinion, or just plain lazy.
I'd cover them up anyway you can to keep the spray out for a nice tidy job.
Maybe I'm too picky.

 

[kd3pc]

we always do the painting, then come in and switch, plug and terminate....less chance of bad paint or messing things up that way.

 

[ishiboo]

I do them last. I used to put a piece of blue painters tape over the outlet, now I use a plastic shield.

They're reusable and cheap.

 

[premierplayer]

switch & plug after paint

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Either way works. I like having lights (and outlets to plug in additional lighting) when I paint.

 

[chrispyny]

who cares if spray from paint gets in the box .. leave wires exposed, spray the ding dang wall, then go back and install the switches, outlets, and covers.

It's how it looks once done that counts. No one is looking inside the box behind the plates and saying, " hmm, who ever did this, sure did it wrong " ..

 

[404]

I'm in the process of re-painting my OSB walls in my garage. Caulk, prime, paint.
The previous owner had sprayed the walls with the boxes open and wire exposed.
Although they did not intentionally spray into the boxes the spray found it's way in there and it looks very unprofessional in my opinion, or just plain lazy.
I'd cover them up anyway you can to keep the spray out for a nice tidy job.
Maybe I'm too picky.

Aren't these boxes completely covered by the cover plate? So confused..

 

[Norcal]

who cares if spray from paint gets in the box .. leave wires exposed, spray the ding dang wall, then go back and install the switches, outlets, and covers.

It's how it looks once done that counts. No one is looking inside the box behind the plates and saying, " hmm, who ever did this, sure did it wrong " ..

^^^^^^^ This, if the boxes have been prepped/ made up properly it will be less work to trim out after paint.

 

[SlowRacecar]

I would install the switches and outlets after. It will save you the time of taping them and then removing the tape after. Either way, the paint will get into the box unless you put something like a bag in the box. The box gets covered anyways, so no big deal.

 

[boobag]

i usually just stick a piece of tape in box on top of wires just to minimize the paint that gets on the wires.

 

[7echo]

Don't the drywall guys leave the boxes full of mud for you guys? That keeps most of the paint out of the box. I reckon we pay extra for that service...

 

[Pathfinders]

Don't the drywall guys leave the boxes full of mud for you guys? That keeps most of the paint out of the box. I reckon we pay extra for that service...

Been more than 20 years since this drove me up a wall. Pay back was when they buried a box, time to get the hammer.

 

[larry4406]

In the production homes I build, we switch and plug after paint. Then once all trade work is done, house is repointed up, sanded, and then painter does final paint.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I sprayed my garage and room above too when I built it. I sprayed it then did the wiring. Paint did get in the boxes and in some cases where there were lots of wires it was a little bit of a pain to determine which wire was which. Not terribly difficult but enough to be annoying. I would recommend at lease plugging the holes with paper to minimize the over spray. I know I wished I had done that.

 

[jgorm]

Thanks guys. It seems that most will install everything after paint, but still plug the holes.

 

[James-W]

I sprayed my garage and room above too when I built it. I sprayed it then did the wiring. Paint did get in the boxes and in some cases where there were lots of wires it was a little bit of a pain to determine which wire was which. Not terribly difficult but enough to be annoying. I would recommend at lease plugging the holes with paper to minimize the over spray. I know I wished I had done that.

Just stuff a plastic grocery bag in the box to cover the wiring and protect nearly all of the box from paint spray.

 

[Norcal]

If your worried about overspray in the boxes just stuff some wadded up newspaper in them. I don't worry about overspray in the boxes, just in recessed cans, and panels.

 

[hh76]

Thanks guys. It seems that most will install everything after paint, but still plug the holes.

This was one of my jobs when I was a kid. I'd tag along with my builder father when he was inspecting prior to drywall. I would go around and stuff insulation in all the boxes to keep the paint and mud out as much as possible. It was pretty quick and easy.