Dear Pat: My house has old, white aluminum gutters. They look terrible, but they only two seams leak. Is it possible to seal those leaky seams and paint aluminum gutters with a fresh white coat? — Erika J.

Dear Erika: Old, discolored gutters can make a house look run. Often, as it sounds in your situation, you don't notice how bad they look until you inspect them after a leak forms. The deterioration of the appearance progresses too slowly to notice when you see the gutters every day.

The good news is that if you do it properly, aluminum gutters can be painted and the results should hold up for many years. The key is in the preparation. If you fail to take the necessary time or to follow all the right steps, I can guarantee the paint will peel and you will be painting your gutters again in just a year or two.

Bright white gutters look nice, but dirt and discoloration will be more noticeable on them than on darker ones. That's why I suggest you choose a color that is slightly darker than your gutters are now.

As your gutters discolor over time - something all gutters do to some extent — it will not be as apparent if they are painted a darker hue. Also, if a spot does peel, it will not be as noticeable as it would be if they were painted bright white.

The first step is to thoroughly clean the gutters and the downspouts.

This is best accomplished with a sponge and a large bucket of soapy water. Avoid using a pressure washer because it can drive water up and into the wall cavity, particularly if your house has siding. While you are doing your preliminary washing, keep your eye open for spots with peeling paint that need to be scraped.

A strong solution of dishwashing liquid and water is very effective for cleaning gutters. Commercial cleaner from a hardware store are also work well. Follow the label directions when you use commercial cleaners. After you scrub the grime off the gutters, you might discover that they look good enough to not need painting after all.

After scrubbing, rinse out the interior and exterior of the gutters with a garden hose. Stand on a ladder so the direction of the water flows downward like it would if were raining to minimizes the amount that gets inside the walls. While you are rinsing the soap off the gutters, make a note of which seams are leaking water.

Allow the gutters to thoroughly dry. Caulk the leaky seams on both the inside and outside of the gutter with caulk that is manufactured to be painted.

After the caulk is dry, paint the gutters with a primer. Zinsser Co. (www.zinsser.com; 732-469-8100) makes some excellent primers for this purpose. They can found just about anywhere paint is sold.

Avoid using a water-based primer because it might contain ammonia, which can react on pitted spots where the aluminum is bare.

Some people like to let the primer get "good and dry." but it is best to follow the instructions on the paint can about how long to wait between coats. If the primer is over dry, the finish coat will not adhere to the primer as well as it should.

Follow standard painting procedures concerning weather. Excessive heat and wind can cause paint to dry too fast. Avoid painting in direct sunlight. Paint the portions of the gutters that are in the shade. If the gutters face the south or west, wait until an overcast day to paint them.

Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about Pat Logan and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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