How To Paint Vinyl Siding

The greatest thing about vinyl siding is that it never needs painting; the color is inherent to the vinyl itself.  However, if you happen to want a different color at some point, it is possible to paint vinyl siding.  Of course, paint will require more maintenance than non-painted vinyl, as the paint can chip away and will need to be reapplied every 5-10 years.  There may also be stipulations about painting vinyl in the manufacturer’s warranty; if you have an intact warranty for your home siding, be sure you’re not warding it by painting your siding.  If none of that is a problem for you, then painting your vinyl can be a great alternative to a full siding replacement.  In this blog, we’ll go over how to paint vinyl siding.

We generally don’t recommend painting vinyl siding, simply because it will require more maintenance than the vinyl itself.  Chipped or poorly maintained paint can look quite shabby, and it is easy to get behind on paint upkeep.  If you’re certain about a new color choice, we recommend doing a full replacement in your proper color; it will save you time and maintenance costs in the long run.

Painting Your Home Vinyl Siding

Choose Your Color Wisely

If you’ve decided to give your home siding a color change, be sure to do adequate research on your original vinyl manufacturer as well as the paint you intend to use.  Quality paint brands will usually make paint specifically designed for use on vinyl siding; look for acrylic resin or urethane.  When choosing a new color, be sure to choose something that is the same or lighter shade; that is, do not choose a color that is darker than your current color.  Vinyl, being color-inherent, is designed to absorb a specific amount of heat based on the color; darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors, so a lighter-colored vinyl will not be designed to withstand the high level of heat absorption that a dark paint color would absorb.  Using a dark color on light vinyl can cause the vinyl to melt or warp due to increased heat absorption.

Clean Your Siding

Before painting your home siding, you’ll need to ensure the siding is adequately clean.  Dirt, dust, or debris left on the siding will compromise the quality of your paint job.  Wet the siding with a hose, then use soapy water to scrub the siding clean using a brush or sponge.  Once the siding has been thoroughly scrubbed, rinse downwards with your hose.  Allow the siding to dry completely before painting.  Do not skip the cleaning step!

To ensure you don’t unintentionally paint trim, windows, or hardware, go through with painter’s tape and mask off any areas you don’t want to be painted.  This will also help create cleaner lines and prevent accidents.

Using Primer

Whether or not you choose to use a primer is up to you; it may be a good idea for more heavily weathered vinyl as it can help fill in small dents or weathering.  Regardless, if you choose to use primer, be sure it is compatible with the paint you’ve chosen.  Follow your paint manufacturer’s instructions.  Primer should be added over the entire surface you intend to paint; you can use a paintbrush, sprayer, or roller for this.  Allow the primer to dry before painting.

Painting

If all of the aforementioned is finished, you’re ready to paint!  Using a paintbrush, sprayer, or roller, apply an even layer of paint to all siding.  If you use a sprayer or roller, go back with a paintbrush to do detail work; sprayers and rollers tend to apply paint unevenly and do not work well for getting small cracks or hard-to-reach areas.  Be sure to get under the lip of each panel and pay attention to corners.  Let the first layer dry, then apply a second coat of paint.  Once the second layer is dry, you’re done!  You can now remove the masking tape and do any minor touch-ups.

There you have it- the step by step process to a DIY vinyl siding paint job!  Home exterior painting can be a big job, but the results are rewarding.  Show off your new exterior by doing some porch or yard decorating, or by adding new plants to your garden that will contrast the new color.

Don’t Want To Paint Vinyl Siding?  We Offer Home Siding Replacement!

If you’ve decided that painting your vinyl siding might not be the best idea after all, consider reaching out to us at Builders Service Company.  We specialize in vinyl siding replacement, and can get you brand new siding in the color of your choice.  Curious about what new siding would cost for your home?  Call us at Builders Service Company for a quote!