Vinyl siding is usually considered as being maintenance-free mainly because it doesn’t require painting. It usually comes with a color mixed with the material that’s more or less permanent. However, over time the color can fade, sometimes unevenly on different areas of the house due to different rates of sun exposure.
Whether it’s faded or not, you may not like the color if you didn’t pick the siding. The good thing is that you can paint vinyl siding.
By now, you’re probably wondering what is the best paint to use on vinyl siding. I have just the answer for you.
The best paint to use on vinyl siding is exterior latex urethane that contains both acrylic and urethane resins.
In this article, we will discuss all that relates to painting vinyl siding and much more. So, if this interests you in the slightest, read on to find out more because this will certainly be an informative read for you!
Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?
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Yes, you can paint vinyl siding. Vinyl siding has numerous benefits. From its resilience to its energy efficiency, vinyl siding has become a top choice for a majority of homeowners. It can last up to 50 years. Another benefit of vinyl siding is its aesthetic value.
It doesn’t have to be replaced or updated, but if you’d like to give it a whole new look, you can paint it.
Before you start, however, there are a few things you should know before you start.
1. You should make sure the vinyl siding is completely clean before painting.
At times, discoloration may occur on your vinyl siding, and its look may not be pleasing to the eyes. Luckily, you can paint vinyl siding, and so this will be a solution to your problem. Before painting your vinyl siding, make sure you fully clean it first.
The best way to do so would be with a power washer. Clean the siding thoroughly because paint usually peels from an unclean surface. Once this is done, allow it to dry.
2. Prime the vinyl siding
Before painting, you prime. The primer is important if you’d like to achieve a seamless paint job because it prepares the surface and helps the paint last much longer. It would be best to use an adhesive primer first and then paint the siding with your brand new color.
The best paint to use would be exterior latex urethane that contains both acrylic and urethane resins. It’s light and tightly clings to the vinyl. Paint that is too thick isn’t good because it will eventually flake off.
Painting your vinyl siding is definitely a less expensive option than installing new siding. However, painting may void the manufacturer’s warranty on your vinyl siding. In some cases, it can also affect the coverage on your homeowner’s insurance.
You should review your warranty and consult with your insurance agent before you go ahead and paint.
What Is the Best Paint for Vinyl Siding?
There are three major things to consider when selecting the paint for your vinyl siding:
- Vinyl is less porous than most other types of siding. This, therefore, means that it requires paint and/or primer adheres strongly.
- Vinyl siding changes (expands and contracts) with fluctuations in the outdoor temperature. This, therefore, means it requires paint that can flex rather than crack and buckle under stress.
- Dark-colored paints absorb heat, and if used on vinyl siding, they can cause it to warp. Therefore, you should choose a paint color that isn’t darker than the original color of your siding.
- 100% acrylic and urethane-modified acrylics are the best for painting vinyl siding.
This is because they provide superior adhesion surfaces, in this case, flexible vinyl siding. Unlike oil-based or latex paints, acrylic paints are less likely to crack or chip because of weather and exposure.
Typically, oil-based and latex paints have a consistency that makes them heavier, which impedes the vinyl’s ability to “breathe” with the home. The effect is flaking, chipping, and cracking we often see with older homes or poorly painted homes.
Non-acrylic paints, when compared to acrylic paints, are usually dull and lose their sheen quicker, and they also require more maintenance frequently.
How To Paint Vinyl Siding?
Painting vinyl siding is a large project, but it isn’t particularly complicated. Follow these steps to properly paint your vinyl siding:
1. Make sure the weather is suitable
Before starting the project, first, consult the weather forecast. Painting the vinyl siding in ideal conditions means doing so in mild temperatures, low relative humidity, and an overcast sky. If the weather is too hot, too windy, or too sunny, the paint may fail to be applied properly.
Yes, it may look okay in the short term, but paint that is applied on a hot, humid, or windy day may adhere poorly and be susceptible to cracking and flaking over time.
2. Choose the right paint
Don’t just purchase the easiest can of paint in the aisle at your local store. For the paint job to look good and to last on vinyl siding, the product you choose must:
- Contain acrylic and urethane resins. This will ensure the coating will stick.
- Be the same color or lighter than the current color. Darker colors retain more heat and make the siding vulnerable to warping.
Painting vinyl siding requires an acrylic urethane paint that is formulated for exterior use.
3. Prepare the vinyl surface
A good rule of thumb for any painting job is always to start with a clean canvas. This is even more important on an exterior where your surface can be even dirtier and more weathered.
Just running a hose over the siding won’t do. The goal of cleaning is to remove all mold, mildew, chalky buildup, and debris from the vinyl surface.
For a large surface, your best bet would be to use a power wash. You can, however, use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to apply the cleaning solution to the surface. For the best results, we recommend using a cleaning solution that contains:
- 1/3 cup laundry detergent
- 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner
- 1-quart liquid laundry bleach
- 1-gallon water
Before going further, allow enough time for the siding to dry up completely.
4. Apply primer if necessary
The next step is to apply primer if it’s required. Primer isn’t quite necessary unless the original color has completely worn away or has become pitted or porous.
5. Apply two coats of paint
Proceed to apply your chosen paint with a roller or even a paint sprayer. Save the brushwork for corners and edges. Make sure that you evenly coat the surface and take care not to apply too much paint to one section. It’s better to do many thin coats than one thick coat.
After winding up with the first coat, let the paint dry. Proceed to apply the second coat. Give the second coat at most 24 hours to dry completely before the project can be said to be done.
Mostly, two coats are sufficient, but not always. Once the second paint has dried completely, assess the appearance to determine whether you’ll require an additional coat. In conclusion, until only recently, vinyl siding couldn’t be painted.
However, advances in paint manufacturing technology have made it possible to give your worn-out vinyl siding a new look. It’s best to use paints specifically formulated for vinyl siding.
If you choose high-quality paint and do a thorough job of cleaning and prepping, you can transform your vinyl siding completely.
