Repainting external gas meter boxes

[JonClay]

Hi there

We have a couple of gas meter boxes outside our property which are flaking and looking quite ugly. I'd like to repaint them, but i'm unsure which paint to use.

I have some masonry paint which I've used to paint the window ledges (also shown in the photograph), but I suspect that this will be too much for these boxes. I'm pretty sure that the boxes are made out of some sort of toughened plastic.

Could anyone please tell me what I should use to get these looking nice?

Many thanks
Jon

I wouldn't repaint them as I don't think it'll look good for very long.
Have you tried scrubbing them with cif? It works really well on pvc windows etc so may work on your meter boxes too.

sure you can. Clean them with a green nylon pan scourer and detergent. This will also take off the gloss and help the paint stick. Sponge off to rinse away all detegent, and when dry, rub over with white spirit to remove any grease and remaining dirt.

Apply one flowing coat of oil-based non-drip gloss with a soft brush. Preferably early in the day but after the sun has passed over it, so it will dry out of direct sun. it may be easier to do the box and the door on separate days, so they don't stick together. You can blu-tak matchsticks into the meeting joint to prevent sticking. Once it is dry, rub a thin smear of vaseline lightly over the meeting surfaces, which will prevent sticking while the paint is new and soft.

I don't know how long it lasts, a meter box I painted like this 25 years ago is still fine, though not so glossy as when new.

You can do plastic waste pipes the same way.

I wouldn't recommend white as it will show the dirt, nor red, because it fades outdoors.

Thanks to both of you :)

It's much easier (and by the time you've bought all the cleaning/prep/paint/finishing products and spent the time painting it, much quicker and not much more expensive too) to just buy a new box. They just unhook from the wall and you can hook the new one on. Then you get a brand new shiny box and the warranty that comes with it

One like this fits (I think):
https://www.gasequipmentdirect.co.uk/product/mk1-gas-meter-box/