Best sealant for around external meter cabinet

rubble2

Our house built about 20 years ago has commonly seen semi recessed external meter cabinets for gas and electric.

They are in pretty poor state, have been painted in the past (prior to us buying) and the paint is peeling off in places, but the worst thing is someone applied sealant around the perimeter of the cabinets - he must have been drunk or half blind because it is the worst sealant application I have seen.

I now want to tidy things up, I am not convinced that the (plastic) cabinets should have been painted in the first place but this is where we are at. I will sand them down and see how they look but I suspect that I will now be forced into repainting them.

What would people recommend for the best (white) paint to use and what type of sealant would be best to go for? I am thinking external frame sealant as used around windows.
(sealant is for the junction between the perimeter of the semi recessed cabinet and standard brickwork.)

Thanks

Eldi_Dos

Can the cabinet be replaced without disturbing the meter or failing that can door be replaced?

stuart45

Have you got a photo of it?

molerat

If painted properly there is no problem.  I painted mine brown at least 15 years ago and is still fine, doesn't stick out like a white sore thumb. Loads of external joint sealants out there. https://www.screwfix.com/c/sealants-adhesives/weatherproof-sealants/cat850058.  Pretty much any external paint will do as long as you prep properly use a suitable primer.

JGB1955

MeterBoxesDirect Online Shop - Gas and Electric Meter boxes  sell spare parts for meter boxes.  We painted ours with black gloss from B&Q Fortress Black Gloss Multi-surface paint, 250ml | DIY at B&Q

Ours aren't sealed and have been fine for 37 years.

grumbler

rubble2 said:

I will sand them down and see how they look but I suspect that I will now be forced into repainting them.

Sanding  plastic is a bad idea IMO. Try some chemicals first.

What would people recommend for the best (white) paint to use and what type of sealant would be best to go for?

I used grey building sealant for a white box.

Eldi_Dos said:

Can the cabinet be replaced without disturbing the meter

No chance for a gas meter as even holes aren't allowed - to prevent gas leakage to cavity.

rubble2

Thanks for the replies, have attached a couple of photos

stuart45

It does look a bit rough, but it is more difficult to get a neat bead with those textured bricks. You can use a silicone remover to clean up after getting the worst off. When you run the new bead in cut the nozzle  so a small bead comes out. Also don't use white again.