Electrical folks - brown conduit and boxes?

[eldirector]

Been busy at Casa de Director this summer. Removed our old deck, had a concrete patio poured, and then spent about 50 hours assembling our gazebo kit. It is pretty awesome, if I say so myself. Sitting under it as a type this.

Next phase is 110V power for our bluetooth speakers, laptop charger (benefit of working remote), and ceiling fan. I've got it all mapped out, save one sticking point: for the life of me, I cannot find BROWN flexible conduit and boxes. Anyone have a source for such a thing? I've checked MCMaster-Carr, Grainger, Greybar, and all the big-box stores. Grey appears to be standard. Blue is common. Might even be able to get black (that might work for me, in a pinch).

Found a manufacturer of brown (Atkore), but they wholesale only. Can't find a distributor, other than one in Florida. I may drop them a note, just in case.

How does one run surface conduit without it sticking out like a sore thumb?

I can run a lot of it mostly hidden in the eaves of the gazebo. But, still have to go up a post, still have to have boxes exposed, and still have to run a section up a rafter for the ceiling fan. Grey just won't cut it, and blue would be spectacularly bad.

Any secret sources? Interesting ideas?

Pic for inspiration

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Paint it.

The color code at our plant is/used to be all electrical boxes and conduits had to be black. We just had a painter paint it after it was installed.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Could you just get gray and then paint it brown?

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Paint it.

The color code at our plant is/used to be all electrical boxes and conduits had to be black. We just had a painter paint it after it was installed.

Great minds!

 

[Farmerjon]

If it is plastic, use the plastic paint.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Been busy at Casa de Director this summer. Removed our old deck, had a concrete patio poured, and then spent about 50 hours assembling our gazebo kit. It is pretty awesome, if I say so myself. Sitting under it as a type this.

Next phase is 110V power for our bluetooth speakers, laptop charger (benefit of working remote), and ceiling fan. I've got it all mapped out, save one sticking point: for the life of me, I cannot find BROWN flexible conduit and boxes. Anyone have a source for such a thing? I've checked MCMaster-Carr, Grainger, Greybar, and all the big-box stores. Grey appears to be standard. Blue is common. Might even be able to get black (that might work for me, in a pinch).

Found a manufacturer of brown (Atkore), but they wholesale only. Can't find a distributor, other than one in Florida. I may drop them a note, just in case.

How does one run surface conduit without it sticking out like a sore thumb?

I can run a lot of it mostly hidden in the eaves of the gazebo. But, still have to go up a post, still have to have boxes exposed, and still have to run a section up a rafter for the ceiling fan. Grey just won't cut it, and blue would be spectacularly bad.

Any secret sources? Interesting ideas?

Pic for inspiration
View attachment 210517

What size boxes? Home depot and Menards used to carry brown metal boxes. They may call it Bronze though. The conduit will need painted.

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/electrical-boxes-covers/electrical-boxes/sigma-engineered-solutions-trade-1-gang-1-2-3-hole-weatherproof-electrical-outlet-box/14250brm/p-1444430890202-c-6425.htm?tid=6055968357036686277&ipos=3

 

[Frosty]

Has anybody mentioned paint yet

 

[Hoosier Carry]

Type in Brown wire molding for your search. You will find many options out there. For example Amazon has something like this:



UPIT Kotech Square Wood Deco Molding- Wire Mold/Cable Concealer On Wall Cord Cover Raceway, 3-Pieces, 0.6×39-Inch, Brown
https://a.co/d/39v5eYk

 

[Hoosier Carry]

Also try to make your drops in the most shaded area of your posts. Sun can make plastic fade and look bad if it’s full sun all the time.

 

[Lpherr]

That looks like the Costco kit. I think they used to have a wiring kit for it?
I would run the wiring inside the post and flush mount the outlets vs. mounting the box on the surface. JMO.

 

[eldirector]

Does the paint actually stick to the flexible conduit? I've never had luck with painting plastics, but maybe that's the ticket.

The bronze boxes posted up-thread would work great. They would be the most visible, with a clear weather-proof cover.

It is a Yardistry gazebo kit from Costco. No wiring kits I know of. Some youtube vids of folks wiring various things. The posts are hollow for about the first 4 feet or so, then solid towards the top. Of course, I want outlets at the top.

I'll grab a rattle can and do some test sprays, and see how well it covers and sticks, once I have a section of flex conduit to work with. Might even run out today and pick some up.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Does the paint actually stick to the flexible conduit? I've never had luck with painting plastics, but maybe that's the ticket.

The bronze boxes posted up-thread would work great. They would be the most visible, with a clear weather-proof cover.

It is a Yardistry gazebo kit from Costco. No wiring kits I know of. Some youtube vids of folks wiring various things. The posts are hollow for about the first 4 feet or so, then solid towards the top. Of course, I want outlets at the top.

I'll grab a rattle can and do some test sprays, and see how well it covers and sticks, once I have a section of flex conduit to work with. Might even run out today and pick some up.

As mentioned, get paint that's made for plastics and you should be fine. It's not like the flexible conduit will be moving around once it's in place.

 

[boogieman]

Go to an automotive store, (Pepboy's has the best selection) and look at the interior spray paint. They have products that are specifically made to prep and primer plastics. They really help to bond the paint. I have used them when redoing the interiors of a couple trucks when new parts weren't available and have had good results.

 

[Usmccookie]

I work daily with conduit, mostly 3/4- 1 1/4" emt. It is common practice to have one of my helpers go back and paint the pipe to match its surroundings as per customer specs.

 

[Jeepster48439]

Is the flexible plastic conduit suitable for outside installation?

I would think that it would degrade being in the elements all the time.

 

[Frosty]

One key to painting plastic. Sanding. Sand it down really good until it’s all a mat consistent color, then a good primer and paint. The better you sand the better the paint will stick. I like around 600 grit paper for that, leaves enough tooth for the paint but smooth enough not to show through.

 

[yeti rider]

As far as prepping the plastic goes, you can use a gray or a red scotchbrite, and comet cleaner to sand. The paint will stick to that. If you wanna go the extra step, get some aerosol adhesion promoter to put on before your color coat.

 

[Mr. Habib]

You might try to find the right color split loom to cover the conduit.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Dont use flexible where it is visible. Rigid will look MUCH better.