If you want to paint vinyl siding there are a few things to consider. When painting vinyl siding, if you’re not careful, the paint might peel or your vinyl surface could warp. If you do it right the first time, you won’t have to worry about problems arising in the future.

To help you learn more, we’ll show you basics of vinyl siding. We’ll also show you how to choose the best paint color and what which paint is the safest for vinyl surfaces.

And we’ll also provide you with instructions on how to paint vinyl siding.

What Is Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding is made of PVC resin. The material has a natural wood appearance, while the top layer is durable and weather-resistant.

Vinyl siding is vulnerable to thermal expansion and can peel and crack. Before you begin, you have two choices: install new siding or paint over your existing siding.

Siding will fade at some point, but not much. If you are not satisfied with the color of your siding, or it has lost its vibrancy and is damaged, then a new paint job would be the best option.

Vinyl Siding: To Paint Or Not To Paint

Before you start painting your home’s exterior, consider the pros and cons to help you what is best.

Pros

Painting costs less than replacement. New siding costs on average $10,000. The price includes labor, which on average is about $12 per square foot. Meanwhile, a new paint job will cost $3 per square foot.Wide variety of colors. There are plenty of vinyl-safe colors to choose from that will help you achieve the look you want for your home.Vinyl siding protection. You can increase the lifespan of your siding with a new paint job. A new paint job will prevent cracking, pitting, and splitting.

Cons

Siding expands and contracts in heat. When walls are exposed to heat, the will warp and bend. Siding handles thermal expansion, which causes paint gaps. Make sure to choose paint that moves with siding.Avoid dark colors. Dark colors attract more heat. When siding becomes hot, it can warp. New siding offers greater longevity. A new paint job will last about a decade. However, new siding will last between 20 to 40 years.

Vinyl Siding Paint Colors

Many paint colors are safe and visually appealing for vinyl siding.

Popular colors for your house exterior include:

Sage greenClassic whiteGolden honeyAlmond yellowStonecrest grayLight tan brown

Darker colors fade faster than lighter hues. Dark colors also attract more heat.

Vinyl Siding Paint

You want to use paint that’s safe for vinyl as it offers greater durability, adheres to surfaces, and can withstand hot temperatures. This is why it’s a good idea to buy premium paint. The best paint for vinyl siding is 100 percent acrylic paint. It’s lightweight and clings to vinyl surfaces, while filling cracks and small gaps.

Exterior latex paint is another good choice, but make sure it’s safe for vinyl surfaces. However, and this is important, but vinyl paint is not appropriate for vinyl surfaces.

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams offers 100 vinyl siding paint colors that resist warping and buckling. Their paint types that are safe for vinyl are Emerald, Duration, Resilience, SuperPaint latex paints, and SnapDry Door & Trim Paint.

The average cost for a gallon of VinylSafe paint is around $70.

Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior Paint

Benjamin Moore offers their Regal Select paint line with 75 vinyl-safe colors. This exterior paint is 100% acrylic and does not require a primer. The cost per gallon of Regal Select is around $60.

The paint is high quality and comes in at a reasonable price compared to competitors.

How To Paint Vinyl Siding

It is essential to stick to the correct process of painting siding, including the prep work. Gather all of your materials before you start the project.

Ensure that the weather forecast is good for at least 48 hours before you start painting.

Materials Needed:

Paint brush, soft bristlePaint roller, 3/8 to 1/2 inch napPaint sprayerPressure washerPainter’s plastic and painter’s tape for masking

Wash Siding

Prep the siding by washing the surface with a pressure washer. Make sure to add a cleaning solution to your pressure washer to remove mold, mildew, and dust. Rinse the siding with fresh water and remove all soapy residue.

Mask Trim, Doors, and Windows

Use painter’s tape to mask the trim around the siding and windows. Use plastic to protect doors and windows. Although masking takes time and extra materials, it is far easier to prevent paint splatters than remove them.

Primer

You’ll need to apply a primer if the vinyl surface has extensive damage. Primer fills in pits, cracks, and crevices, allowing for a smooth finish. You can purchase safe vinyl primer from the same manufacturer of your paint.

Manufacturers make an all-in-one primer and paint combo, reducing the amount of product and labor needed to complete the job.

Apply Paint to Siding

You take various approaches to painting and use different tools. For example, a soft-bristled brush is ideal for trim and windows.

For you siding, a wide paint roller or paint sprayer is recommended. Apply the paint as evenly as possible. If the texture is wrong, use a brush for full coverage and thin out heavy areas.

The process requires two coats to cover the entire surface. Apply the first coat and allow it to dry for two hours. Once the paint is dry to the touch, apply the second coat.

Allow 30 days for the paint to cure. Before you paint, check your weather forecast and see if rain is expected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Can you paint vinyl siding?

Painting siding is a viable option to freshen up siding that has faded. You need to follow the correct steps to ensure that the paint adheres to the siding and does not cause warping.

How to paint vinyl siding?

Painting vinyl siding starts with prepping the siding with a deep cleanse from a pressure washer. Next, use a cleaner mix in the pressure washer to get the best debris removal.

Primer is not needed unless the vinyl siding is damaged. It takes two coats to cover the old siding color. Once prepped, apply the first coat using proper paint for vinyl siding. Once dry, apply the second coat.

How to remove paint from vinyl siding?

Removing paint from vinyl siding can be tricky. If you are trying to remove paint speckles, try using isopropyl alcohol. Mineral spirits remove oil-based paints.

How to remove deck paint from vinyl siding?

You need to know if your deck paint is oil-based or water-based. Oil-based deck paint removes with mineral spirits. Water-based deck paint removes with isopropyl alcohol. Treat the area, let the cleaning solution soak in, and then scrub with a clean rag.

How to remove dried paint from vinyl siding?

Scrape the dried paint off to remove the top layer. Then treat with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol, allowing the solution to soak in. Finally, scrub off with a rag.

Can vinyl siding be painted a different color?

Yes, you can choose any color you want if it is not darker than the original siding.

Can you paint vinyl siding a darker color?

Do not paint your vinyl siding darker than the original siding color. If you do so, it can cause the siding to warp in the heat and sun.

What kind of paint do you use on vinyl siding?

The best paint types for vinyl siding are acrylic-based paints. You can also use latex paint.

How much does it cost to paint vinyl siding?

The cost of painting vinyl siding costs between $1 to $3 per square foot. The average cost to paint a vinyl-sided house is $1500 to $5000.

Can you spray paint vinyl siding?

Technically, you can spray paint as long as it is safe for siding. However, we recommend using a paint sprayer and a soft-bristled paint brush.

How long does paint last on vinyl siding?

With the proper application, a vinyl siding paint job lasts for around ten years.

Can you paint vinyl siding on a mobile home?

Yes, as long as the siding is in decent condition.

Paint Vinyl Siding Conclusion

You may be thinking about replacing your siding with new material instead of painting over it. There are pros and cons to either decision, but painting is much cheaper and will give you more color options than purchasing new siding.

However, painting over siding will last for about ten years, whereas replacing siding will give you about 20 to 40 years.

There are a few safe paint options that adhere to siding when you prepare the surfaces correctly. If you choose to paint your own house, the costs are less. Still, you may want to hire trustworthy professional painting services that have the experience to ensure proper painting techniques, giving you the most extended paint life possible.

Overall, painted vinyl siding could be a good choice for you if you want to freshen up the exterior look of your home while increasing the lifespan of your siding.