Can You Paint Air Return Vents

This is the best design decision.

Can you paint air return vents.

Spray the vent with a metal primer. Remove them from the wall to paint the wall. Finish the grilles using the appropriate application technique or the paint may sag. Once the return grilles are primed they will accept paint.

Air return grilles are metallic a characteristic that leaves them less suited for paint than porous drywall. Any time the vents are blocked or restricted in some way your furnace has to work that much harder to pull in the cool air from the room. I agree with painting them. You could definitely paint plastic vents.

Do you have some vent covers who could need some updating. Head outside to your driveway or garage door open and pop the vent covers in a cardboard box to contain the over spray. Let dry then add another coat or two until you ve achieved solid coverage. Give the spray paint can a good shake then use even strokes to apply the paint.

Brush paint the vents after they air dry when the paint has dried reinstall. It will really make your vents look so clean and fresh instantly. The problem with this method is that the paint tends to ooze through the holes which leads to a partial blockage. In most homes what seems to be typical is to paint the vent with a regular paint brush.

If you are inside open windows before spraying and wear a paint mask to keep from inhaling paint particles and fumes. Or have you ever spray painted your vent covers. Probably will require 2 coats. This is a great upgrade project to do if you are planning on selling your home too to make it more appealing to buyers.

So you ll be fine. But if you think about it the hallway you painted those fumes get pulled through that return anyway. Paint will off gas and that does bother certain people and in reality isnt good for anyone. Painting your air vents to match your wall color makes them blend in with the wall leaving your furniture or artwork as the focal point of the room.

I would just clean them really well and then look for the spray paint that s meant for plastic to be sure it will really stick. So if you are looking to do some simple upgrades clean off those vent covers and give them a coat of spray paint. However you can also purchase a decorative air vent that matches the design aesthetic of the room. Carefully wash the vents and rough them with steel wool or a scotch brite so your paint will adhere.

So in essence its no worse to paint the inside of that return as it is to paint the house.