First try to chip off any peeling paint that is already separating from the box. Then proceed with the rest of the steps below. Paint two coats of the background color over the entire box. Use LIGHTFAST, good quality acrylic paints. If your city has a program, you'll be able to find the application online. The good news is anyone can apply! So if you want to paint a utility box, here are 10 steps that will get you from clueless to complete utility box painting! For this blog, I'll be using the city of Vista's utility box. Protect around the base of the box with plastic or paper to avoid drips. Get all crevices above and below - water will cause rust and peeling. NOTE: if repainting a. Painting your electrical box can be a fun way to add some artistic flair to your backyard, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you start. The electricity meter. The NEC, 110. 12 (B) does not explicitly prohibit painting the exterior covers of panels and switchboards, but it is recommended to do so if the panel can still be opened and operated with external handles.