Painting receptacles and switches.

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Mikeq1

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Seattle, Wa.
I recently failed an inspection on a high end custom home due to the devices being painted over to match the walls. Nothing excessive or done in a manner to impede the proper functioning of the devices.
We have a new inspector, so we're still learning what he focuses on. I've never been called on this before and was wondering if there is a code reference that would prohibit painting over devices? The code reference he gave is 406.3(A) : "Receptacles shall be listed and marked with the manufacturer's name or identification and voltage and ampere ratings." I don't interpret that as relating to painted over devices.
Thanks in advance for the input.
 
I'd tell the guy to go pound sand even if I despise the new devices I installed get painted. If the faces of the receptacles were sprayed then I do have issue. If just rolled unless you can see paint in the slots then not a issue.


Otherwise you will be replacing all that stuff at the owners expense as I doubt you painted them.
 
I have a hard time seeing any "high end" home having the receptacles and/or switches painted to match the wall finish. To me that just screams "trunk slammer" as far as the painters go, and it never looks good to boot.
 
gadfly56 said:
I have a hard time seeing any "high end" home having the receptacles and/or switches painted to match the wall finish. To me that just screams "trunk slammer" as far as the painters go, and it never looks good to boot.
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Never underestimate "designing women". They want lots of receptacles for their electric gadgets, but they don't want to be able to see them either.
 
Sierrasparky said:
So you have never seen faux painting?
usually not a trunk slammer project.
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Yes I have. Well, pictures, and the results can be awesome. Maybe the OP can clarify what kind of "painting over" is going on here. If it was that big an issue, they should use disappearing receptacles.
 
if the switches and receptacles were painted over before the cover plates were put on, and the information on the yolks was obliterated or obscured, than the inspector has a case. the painter should be paying for this though not you is not your concern
 
JFletcher said:
if the switches and receptacles were painted over before the cover plates were put on, and the information on the yolks was obliterated or obscured, than the inspector has a case. the painter should be paying for this though not you is not your concern
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I am inclined to agree on both points. however, usually this information is embossed there and would still likely be readable.
 
Wasn’t it Lutron or maybe leviton that had a whole array of colors & stone finish colors in a special catalog. Those would probably make your high end home Uber high end.
 
Sierrasparky said:
I'd tell the guy to go pound sand even if I despise the new devices I installed get painted. If the faces of the receptacles were sprayed then I do have issue. If just rolled unless you can see paint in the slots then not a issue.
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I think it would be impossible to not get paint in the slots no matter how you applied it. What about the switches?

-Hal
 
Painted GFCI receptacle(s)

Painted GFCI receptacle(s)

Saw this in a local Sacramento hotel yesterday, in the face of a bar type counter is the lobby outside some of the ballrooms.scaled.IMG_20180407_131816026.GFCI.jpg

(Sorry for bad quality image.)

The receptacles are probably still usable, but the buttons are very firmly locked in place. :)
 
That code section is 406.2 a in the 2008 NEC. Unless they are counterfeit, they are still marked by the manufacturer, you just can't see it because of the paint. Get a razor blade or some goof off and go wipe the paint off the receptacles, problem solved this time...

And Bob, think of a hotel with a heavy Orange Peel finish... we never installed any devices until after walls were painted... wasn't about to replace a hundred rooms worth of Cat6 Keystone and all the attendant labor... My wrist and fingers hurt thinking about it.

Hal, painters tape will work... If I know the homeowner intends to paint the receptacles, I'm going to tell him to wait till after final inspection, or they can pay me to reinstall every device in the house their choice

I think the inspector is right on this one however, it's a very marginal call, especially if you were to show him the empty 10 packs that the device is came in. We've had that happen before with firestopping, inspector wants to see a tube of what we used. No product plug here but Hilti fs-one is the only one to my knowledge that has bits of metal flake in it, and is rated for pretty much every kind of penetration known to man.
 
mopowr steve said:
Wasn’t it Lutron or maybe leviton that had a whole array of colors & stone finish colors in a special catalog. Those would probably make your high end home Uber high end.
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leviton , which i believe was followed by other manufacturers

9238e0ca2d4f989339962cb9cc6356e6.png


i can recall the supply houses giving out a color key, like paint shops. So i guess it's up to us to convince those interior designers (who're all about uber uber) to give us sparks a go at it, vs. the painters....

~RJ~
 
romex jockey said:
leviton , which i believe was followed by other manufacturers

9238e0ca2d4f989339962cb9cc6356e6.png


i can recall the supply houses giving out a color key, like paint shops. So i guess it's up to us to convince those interior designers (who're all about uber uber) to give us sparks a go at it, vs. the painters....

~RJ~
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I wonder who comes up with those color names... somebody far more tactful than me. I'd name the 10th 17th and 20th colors baby puke yellow, crime scene red, and rotted pumpkin, respectively.

It was enough a pitb 10 years ago when everyone in hotels wanted light almond... any overstock of those rare colors would certainly wind up in the trash can. And it would be kind of hard calling up the supply house asking for a Pepto-Bismol Pink 3 gang Decora switch plate...
 
I'd have to go over his head on that. Much as I hate painted devices, they are usually not unsafe and yes, embossed printing can still be read on most of them. This inspector is just looking to add another headache to the many you already have.
 
I agree with the notion that unless the paint has affected the integrity of the contacts then paint away. There are bigger things to worry about.
 
JFletcher said:
I wonder who comes up with those color names... somebody far more tactful than me. I'd name the 10th 17th and 20th colors baby puke yellow, crime scene red, and rotted pumpkin, respectively.

It was enough a pitb 10 years ago when everyone in hotels wanted light almond... any overstock of those rare colors would certainly wind up in the trash can. And it would be kind of hard calling up the supply house asking for a Pepto-Bismol Pink 3 gang Decora switch plate...
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Very likely, none of these would be on the shelf for an emergency service call. I always urge customers to stick with white or ivory. Even light almond can be hard to find in every device. Brown and black used to be easily available but not as much now.
 
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