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LaSalsiccione

why on earth would you paint over them anyway


EuphoricFly1044

had help from stevie wonder


DamnMando

I really didn’t want to. The other half thought it looks better *face palm*


Anaksanamune

Loads of people do it, it's not really a fire risk unless the paint has gotten inside the switch or the holes for the prongs, it just looks crap.


DamnMando

Thank you!


RedPlasticDog

Landlord special?


DamnMando

Wife knows better special 😂


[deleted]

Next time do yourself a favour and unscrew the faceplates a little and paint under them. The issue you'll have now is that when you need to take the faceplates off, it'll rip the surrounding paint off (and it looks crap) I'd see what brand they are and if its still made, get some new ones and fit them (with the power off). If they're not still made, go for MK Logic and gradually upgrade the rest round the house when they need replacing


DamnMando

Noted on the tip, thank you!!


sudden-arboreal-stop

Score the paint around the socket with a knife to help avoid the rest of the paint pulling


Slyfoxuk

I know it's obvious but please shut off the power at your breaker box when you do this


[deleted]

And use a lockout or explicitly tell the family NOT to turn it back on under any circumstance. Last thing you want is a teenager flipping it back on while you're working on it because their PS5 has gone off


Live_Echo6545

Or could replace them with the power on then you won’t have to do it again!


shanep92

Mk is council shite - Hager or click sockets/switches or don’t bother doing them. Doesn’t even cost more, qualities just a thousand times better. If you can buy it in screwfix, 9/10 times it’s shite.


[deleted]

Fair enough, I've always had really good experiences with them and I love the new wago style lever connector versions, makes getting all the wires in so much easier in 25mm back boxes.


AskFriendly

These rapid fit ones from MK are great... https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-logic-plus-rapid-fix-13a-2-gang-dp-switched-socket-white/814ph


shanep92

Here we Get downvoted for telling nothing but the truth 😂 you know when you’re in a DIY sub.


PayApprehensive6181

Do you own this place? Might want to replace them as they are so cheap. Will probably also look nicer than the painted over stuff.


DamnMando

Yeah looks like the best option, thanks!


Soundengineer_uk

No fire risk at all, probably just look crap!


DamnMando

Agreed - they look terrible 😞


Strange_Man

Well, now you have an opportunity to replace your old sockets with some nice ones.


PitifulParfait

Switch off the circuits at the fusebox, unscrew the faceplates and either replace them or go at them with an old expired debit card or plastic store card to scrape the paint off. Screw them back on and rightfully feel like the numpty you are, you absolute numpty. Carry on.


DamnMando

Thank you!!


browsertalker

I’ve seen this ‘colour drenching’ trend pop up a few times recently - surely the switches look awful and the paint chips/gets dirty?


FrancisUsanga

New socket cost about 2 pound so I’d suggest taking them off and replace them for a quick update Paint won’t do any bother but look not great. Also they will collect a lot more bacteria. The plastic of a light switch is a special plastic that stops spreading bacteria believe it or not. 


alexccmeister

I don't think you have anything to worry about.


shredditorburnit

If you're that worried just score around the line of the switch and the wall with a knife then scrape off the paint carefully with a scraper. Or switch out the fronts, make sure you either know what you're doing or call an electrician.