Switch Plate & Receptacle Covers

[fljjmarz]

I’m looking for switch plate covers & outlet covers, and would like some ideas.
I like the diamond plate look, but I think it might be played out.
Have any good ideas?
Please post pictures of them and/or post a link.
Thanks in advance.
Frank

 

[dodis]

Not many posts (yet), and I don't have a decorative opinion, but a useful suggestion. On all of my (mix-matched) outlet covers and switch plates, I have written the breaker number the circuit is on with a sharpie, so that if I need to work on that line, I immediately know which breaker to throw, of if something isn't working, I know which one to check instead of looking to see IF a breaker is tripped.

When I do get around to finishing out my shop I plan to just go with metal covers, just haven't decided if I will go S.S. ($.$.) or just plain steel and painted. But I want the durability of steel for the shop. Then some sort of labeling to make it look good.

Mike "Dodis"

 

[Boost Creep]

how about carbon fiber
http://carbonlightswitch.com/Products.htm

 

[Grigg]

I like the diamond plate look, but I think it might be played out.

You think?

I vote for plain steel ones, or the plastic ones are OK too.
Don't think this is a big decision, but I sure wouldn't use the "diamond tread" ones, that is unless you'll need some added traction on your walls.

Grigg

 

[FuryUs]

Stainless.

 

[was2]

If one were to use the carbon plate, what are the pros and cons of the red switch and recepticle normally used for special installs like hospitals? Not talking the orange receptacle normally seen in the 20amp plug, unless you plan on 20amp plugs and like the Harley color thing.

 

[W_KY]

For the carbon fiber, at $10 each you better have more money that sense. No idea how many receptacles your garage has but that would add up fast.

I'd just go with the steel, painting them if I wanted something a little different.

 

[SCutchins]

I did mine in 3M dinoc film, looks like carbon fiber but is a heck of a lot cheaper.

http://www.carbonfiberfilm.com/

This was purely for the humor:

 

[rsanter]

in the garage I prefer the stainless or crome ones
basic industrial look that never goes out of style

bob

 

[lowbucktruck]

I second the stainless plates. Sturdy yet purdy.

 

[Mr_fixit]

how about galvanized ?

 

[Keep]

I vote for plain steel. Strong and cheap.

Thats what I used, easy to clean and I don't mind if they get some scratches.

 

[mrb]

I prefer the standard brushed stainless covers. If you want to get fancy and high spec, you can have them engraved with function, circuit id, etc and the engraving filled with different colors of engravers ink.

 

[what2do]

Lowe's has a great selection of stainless steel ones.

http://www.lowes.com/pl_Steel-Stainless_4294821476+4294819970_4294937087_

 

[DzNuts]

I did mine in 3M dinoc film, looks like carbon fiber but is a heck of a lot cheaper.

http://www.carbonfiberfilm.com/

This was purely for the humor:

Cutchin, that's a unique idea. Kinda wish I woulda put in black receptacles.

 

[hoopty388]

with my eclectic style I have been saving up all kinds of oddball covers. everything from solid brass to superman.

 

[internetdude]

I bought black receptacles and put on stainless plate covers. Looks pretty nice. Oh, the dollar store had the stainless (single) plate covers so I saved some $$$. I still had to pay the $4 or whatever for the double-gang plate cover, but that's OK.

 

[Nailbender]

You have a very nice understanding wife! Can she visit with my mine and maybe some of that attitude would rub off. I keep telling my wife that the one with the most tools wins! She doesn't buy that though. Cya!

 

[Mike B26]

I did mine in 3M dinoc film, looks like carbon fiber but is a heck of a lot cheaper.

That stuff is like $90/yard! Real carbon fiber is like $40/yard.

 

[Kevin54]

I don't have any pics of mine, but I painted mine black, then stood back with a can of silver paint and did a quick mist on them. They basically look like the Gladiator cabinet finish.

 

[haugy]

I bought black receptacles and put on stainless plate covers. Looks pretty nice. Oh, the dollar store had the stainless (single) plate covers so I saved some $$$. I still had to pay the $4 or whatever for the double-gang plate cover, but that's OK.

WIN. Thanks, I will now be doing that in my shop.

 

[fljjmarz]

Thanks for all the ideas.
I really like the carbon fiber look, and am leaning toward that.
But I do like "Kevin54's" idea about the black covers with the silver paint misted over them...if you could post a picture of it, that would be great.
I also like "swanny's" idea of the black receptacles with the SS covers...please post a picture of them.
Thanks again for everyone's input, I do appreciate it.
Frank

 

[HOTFR8]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73590

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73587&showall=1

Two posts on the same topic ?

 

[stinkity stoink]

try speedcult.com . They have some interesting stuff there

 

[stinkity stoink]

http://www.speedcult.com/cgi/item_type.php?tid=18 there is a link to the switch covers. Pricey ,but cool

 

[dcovey]

Thanks for all the ideas.
I really like the carbon fiber look, and am leaning toward that.
But I do like "Kevin54's" idea about the black covers with the silver paint misted over them...if you could post a picture of it, that would be great.
I also like "swanny's" idea of the black receptacles with the SS covers...please post a picture of them.
Thanks again for everyone's input, I do appreciate it.
Frank

Ebay buy it now less than 30 bucks. carbon vinyl

Dave

 

[jwillis]

I went on ebay and typed in- light switch covers. If you are a GM guy, you are in luck. Lots of GM switch covers. I also got just the regular plastic (four plug recepticle covers)ones and spray painted them with gray primer. Then spray painted them a couple coats of high gloss black or a candy apple gloss red. The plastic holds the (Rustoleum) paint very well. Like the plastic model cars you used to build. (Rough them up a little with fine steel wool before you primer them. And wipe them clean.) They look pretty awesome and they really spark up the garage. Cheap, too. Ebay has the black GM covers that say, " Heartbeat of America" or "Rock Solid". They also come in the stainless silver color, too. Around five bucks apiece. The ones I painted go good with the rest. You can get the switch covers with cars and all kinds of stuff on them, (like Corvettes) too. Good luck.............jwillis

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks for all the ideas.
I really like the carbon fiber look, and am leaning toward that.
But I do like "Kevin54's" idea about the black covers with the silver paint misted over them...if you could post a picture of it, that would be great.
I also like "swanny's" idea of the black receptacles with the SS covers...please post a picture of them.
Thanks again for everyone's input, I do appreciate it.
Frank

I found a pic of one. They do actually look better than the pic shows. They match the Gladiator cabinets pretty close.

 

[Motown 454]

I just went to that E bay site and the buy it now price is under $24

 

[HemiRambler]

Ocassionally I get bored and make my own... I did the flamed ones long before they sold anything similar - I still like mine better than the store bought ones - I suppose I am a bit jaded though.

 

[marty_p]

Incredible ideas, folks!!!

 

[hoopty388]

hemirambler: love the third one. awesome work!!!!

 

[rwhite692]

I will be using the plain white Cooper brand "unbreakable" ones from Lowes. $0.79 each for the single decora type. I like these ones because they are slightly oversized and, they are cheap.

I was originally thinking of getting the diamond plate aluminum ones or some stainless ones, but with like 30 outlets to cover, when looking at a few bucks each it gets kinda silly.

 

[cdottrot]

I think the carbon ones linked on the first page would be neat to have around the toolbox area, they being legit CF and all. I'd probably just stick with white though, high visibility, and cheap. Easy enough to change that down the road.

 

[jwillis]

I will be using the plain white Cooper brand "unbreakable" ones from Lowes. $0.79 each for the single decora type. I like these ones because they are slightly oversized and, they are cheap.

I was originally thinking of getting the diamond plate aluminum ones or some stainless ones, but with like 30 outlets to cover, when looking at a few bucks each it gets kinda silly.

These are the ones I painted red or black. If you want them to look awesome, go to up my post and see how I painted them. It is really easy and quite inexpensive. I will probably have as many covers as you by the time I am done with my garage. Good luck.......jwillis

 

[jwillis]

HemiRambler, I really like those flame type covers. I might try them out. Thanks........jwillis

 

[Adrian1281]

That stuff is like $90/yard! Real carbon fiber is like $40/yard.

Your numbers are a little too high...

http://www.carbonfiberfilm.com/

 

[dcovey]

I will be using the plain white Cooper brand "unbreakable" ones from Lowes. $0.79 each for the single decora type. I like these ones because they are slightly oversized and, they are cheap.

I was originally thinking of getting the diamond plate aluminum ones or some stainless ones, but with like 30 outlets to cover, when looking at a few bucks each it gets kinda silly.

If you buy the ones at Lowes look or ask for the "contractor pack", Basicly if you buy in quantity they are cheaper. Also, if you are active military or if you are retired military ask for your military discount (10%). This is good at Home Depot as well.. I've saved a lot by doing this during my house remodel..

Dave

 

[fljjmarz]

Wow, a lot of great ideas!!!
Thanks to everyone who contributed.
I’m pretty close to a decision, I’m going with black receptacles & switches and an aluminum looking finish on the plates.
I purchased inexpensive white metal plates at Home Depot, an a can of aluminum finish rust-oleum spray paint.
Here’s a sample of how it looks.
Let me know what you think...

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought some steel ones and spray bombed them black.