Depending how concerned you are about the condition of the paint, this should only need to be done every five or six years. The quality of both paint and sealant will have a bearing on this though, so it’s important to consider this at the start.
The first step is to remove the shutters from the window. Trying to reach behind the shutters to paint them while they’re still up is a nightmare, and is not recommended. A standard screwdriver set should suffice in removing the shutters; depending on how tall you are you may need a ladder as well. Recruiting a helper to give you a hand if it’s required can’t hurt either.
Because paint gives off fumes, it’s best to paint in a well-ventilated area. This could be a garage with open doors, a garden, or somewhere similar. It may be beneficial to put the shutters on a tarpaulin or cloth when painting them to prevent paint staining the surface below. It is possible to remove spilled paint with paint thinner and water, but preventative action is certainly easier.
Start with removing the old layer of paint. Soapy water and a paint scraper is usually enough to remove paint beyond a certain age, but if this is not the case you can use sandpaper to help. Once the old paint is removed, primer should be applied to the wood to help it maintain its strength over time. A topcoat should then be added and left to dry before deciding whether a second coat is needed. The amount of coats should not matter too much if the paint is applied well.
Make sure you let the paint dry before reattaching the shutter. You don’t want paint marks all over your windows. Get the ladder (and helper, if you have one) back out when installing the shutters again; they can be tricky to put up.
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