Attempting a DIY project

[ny biker]

I'm generally lacking in mechanical skills. I'm also trying to save money.

The previous owners of my condo thought it was a good idea to paint over all the light switches and electrical outlets, including the switchplates and the screws that attach them to the wall. I've bought new stuff to replace them all -- nice white Lutron equipment including paddle switches and switchplates that hide the screws. I'm going to attempt to do the work myself. I've been told by many people that this is easy to do, and I've found a couple of websites with instructions that look straightforward enough.

I know how to turn off the circuit breakers. I have a tester to make sure the power is off before I start with each switch/receptacle.

I'm going to the store today to get some paint remover so I can get at the screws. (Unless it only comes in big containers, in which case I guess I'll have to try sand paper and a utility knife and just hope I don't damage the screws in the process.)

So, any advice before I start?

I'm only dealing with regular receptacles and switches -- no GFCI or dimmers (yet).

[jessmarimba]

I've found that paint flakes off of screw heads pretty easily (unless you have 50 years of paint layers on them, like some of my door hinges). I usually just keep poking a screwdriver at the screw there until the paint flakes out of the slots. Once I unscrew them, I use a utility knife or a screwdriver to wedge under the faceplates, depending on whether I plan on painting the walls again or I'm trying to salvage the paint that's there. They generally pop off pretty easily once you have a little leverage. Unless you have morons like whoever put my cable faceplate on...it was glued to the wall.

I imagine you'll find it easier than you expect once you start!

[ClockworkOrange]

Good on you for attempting something like this, it will be an amazing sense of achievement once you have finished, you must post when it is all done.

If we don't hear from you, will assume you touched the wrong wire!

[grey]

New screws should have come with the new switchplates, no?

DH has been teaching me how to wire a house. A few weeks ago I did my first breaker panel! Anyway - just replacing the switches isn't too bad. If you are like me and have enough electricity in your body to set off the stupid tester all the time (seriously, I'll hold it waaaaay at the end and it STILL goes off - almost buzzed myself thinking a light was off and it was just me setting the tester off - DH double checked and no... it was not off).

Don't feel bad if you turn off the main just to be safe. I do.