Can You Paint an Electrical Meter Box? (Answer: Yes!)

We're finalizing the exterior hardscaping around the mudroom and one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb was the meter box. It's that pale grey color and against the red brick, it was just too loud. So I decided to spray-paint it, and the payoff was immediate!

There's really only one portion that you can't cover up on an electrical box, and that's the meter front that shows the readings. But the box and pipes? Fair game! (Caveat: Do check with your local utility company just to cover your bases!)

Here's how I spray-painted the electrical meter box on our home in under an hour.

The Supplies I Used

• Leftover cardboard/packing supplies broken down into pieces
• Painter's tape
• First Layer: Ace Rust Stop Red Spray Primer
• Second Layer: Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Clear Spray Paint
• Final Layer: Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Flat Brown Spray Paint
• Mask for paint fumes

How I Spray-Painted the Electrical Meter Box

First, I pressure-washed around the brick and meter box to remove any dirt and grime. Then I let it dry completely.

I taped up cardboard and packaging material around the box and pipes to protect the brick and the ground. And then I fully taped the clear meter domed front so it was protected too.

The first cans of spray paint I bought were either too cranberry or too bright brick red. A few people suggested on Instagram that I go with the trim color, but I really just want this box to recede into the background. So I'm going with a medium-dark reddish brown (it almost perfectly matched my nail color?!). This primer does need a top coat, so I got a clear matte one to protect it.

First, I wiped the electrical meter box clean of any debris or dirt so I had a smooth, dry surface. I shook the can vigorously for a few minutes to mix the paint, and then sprayed across the box in even strips (this is a good time to put on your mask for ventilation). This continued until everything was evenly coated and there were no grayish areas peeking through. I made sure to spray-paint under the box as well.

Once it dried, I added a top coat of the Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Clear Spray Paint in matte. Since the brick is matte, you really want the box to be matte as well.

The result? It was almost TOO pretty!! Like it was standing out as a statement piece instead of fading back. Not good...

Back to the spray-painting board. I decided to do a couple light layers of the Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Flat Brown Spray Paint on top to sort of weather the look and tone down the red a little bit. And oh my gosh, it so worked. It looks as if it's meant to be.

Trellis (bought locally) (similar) | Door Mat | Wall Lantern | Planter (bought locally) (similar)

I can't get over how this spray paint just perfectly covered up the electrical meter box on our house. This exact combination of spray paint created a really pretty red brick match. I highly recommend trying this if you'd like to disguise an electrical meter box—it's so easy and so satisfying!