Fading Shutters? How to Restore Original Color and Gloss

Over time, sun exposure, pollution, and weathering can cause shutters to fade, discolor, and lose their original rich hues. While dingy faded shutters may seem like an inevitable fact of aging, there are ways to restore color and shine. With professional refinishing services, seriously faded shutters can be revitalized to look like new again. This article explores processes for renewing faded shutters through cleaning, color-restoration, and reapplication of protective finishes.

Assessing the Extent of Fading and Damage

The first step is performing a thorough inspection of the current condition of faded shutters. Look for:

Severely lightened, chalky, or uneven coloring caused by sun bleaching. Compare to original hue.
Cloudiness, haziness, and dullness instead of a crisp finish.
Areas of exposed bare wood where the topcoat has worn away.
Any cracking, peeling, or blistering of the remaining finish layers.
Signs of mold, mildew, and water damage like dark streaking or soft spongy wood.
Gritty chalky areas indicating complete finish failure.
Hardware, ornamentation, and details losing definition from a blurred coating.

The inspection reveals how far finish deterioration has progressed so the proper restoration methods can be used.

Cleaning Off Years of Dirt and Grime

Before any refinishing can occur, shutters must be thoroughly cleaned down to the bare wood or existing finish. Built-up layers of pollutants, organic matter, oxidation, and chalky paint prevent adhesion and uniform color results. Cleaning methods include:

Pressure washing with clean water to blast off loose paint and ground-in dirt.
Chemical cleaners to dissolve away grease, chalky residue, mildew, and remaining grime.
Brighteners containing oxalic or phosphoric acid to etch and neutralize discolored wood fibers.
Sanding/scraping to abrade away failing paint and weathered wood surface layers.

Proper cleaning is crucial prep work providing the pristine surface needed for refinishing.

Stripping Away Peeling and Flaking Finish

If the original wood substrate is being refinished, all failing finish layers must be completely removed by:

Chemical strippers to penetrate and lift multiple finish layers which are then scraped away.
Infrared stripping using heat lamps to soften old finish for removal with scrapers.
Media blasting using baking soda, dry ice, or soda to abrade away finish without damaging wood.
Sanding with power tools and hand scraping to gradually remove finish down to bare wood.

Thorough stripping provides the ideal blank canvas for new finish coats to adhere to.

Repairing Any Damage Before Refinishing

The deep cleaning and stripping processes will likely reveal underlying wood damage that requires repairs for sound refinishing:

Filling cracks and holes with wood putty or flexible epoxy to create a smooth surface.
Structural repairs like gluing loose joints, splicing in wood Dutchmen, or reinforcing with battens.
Replacing beyond repair slats to match existing wood species and cut.
Consolidating punky wood by injecting stabilizing epoxy resins.
Sanding and smoothing to prep repaired areas for uniform refinishing results.

Proactive wood repairs prevent further coating failures and deterioration.

Tinting and Color Matching

Once stripped and cleaned, sun bleached wood tends to be a faded pale version of its original coloring. Tinting and staining restores rich, vibrant hues:

Color matching through test samples helps align new hue to the shutter’s original coloring before full application.
Pigmented stains in semi-transparent or solid formulations add back color depth.
Dyes and toners penetrate bare wood to even out discoloration and alter undertones.
Bleaches remove remaining dark discoloration and allow uniform coloring.
Limitless paint colors give creative options for dramatic color changes.

When the new color is selected, full application can give shutters back their original vivid coloring or an updated color scheme.

Selecting a Protective Finish Coating

The refinished color should be sealed in and protected with layers of a durable, weather-resistant finish:

Natural and stained wood shutters benefit from:

Penetrating oil finishes that nourish wood while allowing its grain to show through.
UV-resistant varnishes and spar urethanes that form a flexible protective film atop the stain.
Renewable wax coatings providing water beading protection.

Painted shutters require:

Adhesion promoting oil or shellac-based primers.
Exterior-grade acrylic latex paints that expand and contract with the wood.
Enamel paints offering heightened durability and gloss.

The right finish protects the restored color and provides long-lasting protection from the elements.

Hiring Refinishing Professionals

While some discoloration can be remedied with DIY cleaning and staining, the full process of stripping, repairing, color matching, and applying finish coatings often requires hiring professional refinishers. They offer:

Skill with stain mixing, sprayers, and painting tools to achieve even, consistent results.
Familiarity with finish compatibility issues to prevent failures.
Resources to match old shutter colors and sheens.
Knowledge of preparation techniques for sound adhesion.
Efficiency from experience refinishing many shutter sets.
Access to professional-grade sealers, stains, paints and application equipment.

Pro refinishing provides stunning color restoration along with long-term durability.

Maintaining the Renewed Finish

To get the longest lasting results from revitalized shutters, proper maintenance is key:

Inspect annually for any new finish cracking or discoloration.
Clean gently using soft brushes, mild cleaners, and low pressure rinses.
Avoid abrasive cleaners or high-pressure washing methods.
For wood shutters, reapply penetrating oils every 3-5 years.
Spot treat any mildew outbreaks immediately to prevent spreading.
Sand and touch up paint at first sign of any nicks, scratches, or peeling.

With proper care, refreshed shutters will maintain their like-new radiance for years to come.

Conclusion

Tired of dingy, faded shutters detracting from your home’s aesthetics? Our experts specialize in shutter color restoration services using meticulous processes refined from years of refinishing experience. We can cleanly strip away years of UV damage and grime and apply your desired finish whether matching original or changing colors entirely. Contact us today to restore the rich coloring of your home’s shutters.