Universal paint shield

A universal paint shield for releasable attachment to an electrical wall outlet or switch assembly for preventing paint being applied to an adjacent wall surface from contacting the cover plate of the assembly or any other exposes surfaces and components thereof as the wall is painted, comprising:

• a molded plastic body formed having generally uniform section thickness, including a generally rectangular front panel having a front surface and a rear surface, top, bottom and side walls projecting rearward of said front panel and having continuous outer edge portions;
• said front panel having a forwardly extending central portion which defines an enlarged clearance cavity which rearwardly opens to face the assembly and is adapted to provide adequate clearance for all exposed surfaces and components of a wide variety of any such assemblies;
• at least two opposing said edge portions of said top and bottom or said side walls biasingly engaging against the corresponding outer edge surfaces of the cover plate to entirely cover all exposed front and side surfaces of said assembly, said edge portions having opposing inwardly contoured longitudinal edges spaced apart at central portions thereof a distance just slightly less than a corresponding or width of the cover plate and of sufficient resilience to allow them to be force fitted over the corresponding outer edge surfaces of the cover plate for biased releasable retention of said paint shield in a deployed position over the cover plate.